456 



TIDES — SOUNDINGS — VIEW. June 1830* 



gradually increases to this coast. From Cape San Diego the 

 flood tide sets north and west along the shore, from one knot to 

 three knots each hour, as far as twenty miles along shore ; and 

 the ebb in a contrary direction, but not so strongly, except in 

 San Vicente Bay. The flood in the Strait of Le Maire runs 

 about two knots in mid channel, more or less according to the 

 wind, and the ebb about one knot an hour. Perhaps, at times^ 

 when a strong spring tide is retarded in its progress by a 

 northerly wind, there will be a dangerous overfall off" Cape 

 San Diego, like the bores in some parts of the world, 



" The soundings are tolerably regular, and may give notice 

 of an approach to Staten Land, or to the N. E. coast, and may 

 guide a ship to the fairway of the strait ; but I should not 

 place much confidence in them, near such a rocky coast as 

 that of Staten Land. 



" Good Success Bay is an excellent anchorage for vessels of 

 any size to stop in for wood or water ; but it would not 

 answer if a vessel required to lie steady for repair, as a swell 

 frequently rolls in. It is quite safe, yet, in the winter season, 

 when easterly gales are common, no vessel should anchor so 

 near the head of the bay as she might in summer ; for heavy 

 rollers at times (though rarely) set in. Fish we did not try to 

 get, not having spare time, and only a few birds were shot. 



" On the 8th, a very fine day with but little wind, we were 

 off* the flat-topped hill, called the Table of Orozco ; and, from 

 the mast-head, I had an extensive view of the adjacent country. 

 About Success Bay and Bell Mount the land is high, but 

 north of Success Bay it slopes away towards Cape San Diego, 

 which is a long, low, projecting point. Thence, as far as I 

 could see, the N.E. coast extended, low, excepting a few hills 

 here and there, and unbroken by inlets ; the country near it 

 being a pleasant looking hill and dale land, well wooded and 

 quite free from snow. I could distinguish a snow-covered 

 chain of mountains which must have lain near Admiralty 

 Sound, the country on this side of them appearing to be a con- 

 tinued succession of liill and valley, with only a few of the 

 hills capped with snow, although this v/as the depth of winter. 



