PASSAGE EASTWARD — NARROW. 



473 



the beaches are strewed with abundance of logs of well-season- 

 ed wood, which is very superior to the green wood that must 

 otherwise be used. 



Notwithstanding that the Adventure experienced no current 

 in the western part of the Strait, there is generally a set to the 

 eastward, which is more or less felt according to circumstances. 

 The direction and strength of the currents are caused by the 

 duration of the gales. 



The chart will be a sufficient guide for vessels bound 

 through from the westward as far as Laredo Bay ; after which 

 a few directions will be necessary. The land here should be 

 kept close on board, to avoid the Reef off the south-west end 

 of Santa Magdalena. Being abreast of it, bear away, keeping 

 the N.E. extremity of Elizabeth Island on the starboard bow, 

 until you see Santa Marta in one with, or a little to the 

 southward of, the south trend of the Second Narrow (Cape 

 St. Vincent), which is leading mark for the fair channel until 

 you pass the spit of shoal soundings, which extends across 

 to Santa Magdalena. There are also shoal soundings towards 

 the south-west end of Elizabeth Island ; at half a mile off we 

 had five fathoms, — Cape St. Vincent being then the breadth 

 of Santa Marta open to the northward of that island. Keep- 

 ing the cape just in sight to the northward of Santa Marta, 

 steer on and pass round the low N.E. extremity of Elizabeth 

 Island, off which are several tide eddies. The tide here sets 

 across the channel. 



Now steer for the Second Narrow, keeping Cape Gregory, 

 which will be just discernible as the low projecting extreme of 

 the north side of the Second Narrow, on the starboard bow, 

 until you are three miles past Santa Marta ; the course may 

 then be directed for the cape, opening it gradually on the 

 larboard bow as you approach it, to avoid the shoal that 

 extends off it. 



If you a^ichor in Gregory Bay, which is advisable, in order to 

 have the whole of the tide for running through the First Nar- 

 row, haul up and keep at a mile and a half from the shore. When 



