March 1830. Henderson island — diego ramirez. 419 



19th. Still a strong wind, but less rain. Between the squalls 

 I obtained a few sights of the sun, for time, and at noon a 

 tolerably good set for latitude. Being then better weather, 

 and likely to improve, we crossed in the boat to Leading Hill, 

 and from its summit took the necessary angles. It was very 

 dold and windy, but we effected all that was then required. 



" 20th. Decamped very early and ran across Duff Bay, 

 towards Henderson Island, with a moderately fresh breeze off 

 the land ; and as my object was to obtain a good view and a 

 round of angles from the summit of a height on that island, I 

 passed WeddelFs Morton Isle, Blunder Cove, &c. without 

 stopping, and reached the north end of Henderson Island soon 

 enough to get sights for time. From that spot we went a short 

 distance to a cove, where the boat might remain during my 

 absence on the hill, observed the latitude, and then ascended. 

 Before we were half-way up, a squall came on from S.W. and 

 increased rapidly, but having ascended so far, I was not dis- 

 posed to turn back, so we pushed on and reached the summit ; 

 yet, when there, I could not use a theodolite, on account of 

 the wind. Towards the east I could see a long distance, to the 

 farthest of the Hermite Islands ; but towards the west the view 

 was obscured by haze ; so leaving the instruments, I hastened 

 down to the boat and found her safe, though she had been in 

 great danger. By this time the wind had moderated, and before 

 dark we measured the distance between the morning and noon 

 stations : that from the latter to the summit of the hill I had 

 measured, when at the top, by a micrometer. We then passed 

 round the north end of the island, and in the dark searched the 

 east side for a resting-place, which after some time was found. 



"21st. A fine clear day enabled me to make the necessary 

 observations, and I then went up the height and succeeded in 

 obtaining a distinct view of the Diego Ramirez Islands. As 

 this hill is distant from them between fifty and sixty miles, I 

 felt sure of getting a good cross bearing from the south end of 

 the Hermite Islands, distant from them, as I then thought, 

 only about forty, and thus fixing their position. 



" New Year Sound appears to be a large body of water ex- 

 2 e 2 



