to the Strait of Magellan, 29 



strait; for the channel we had followed, on entering this archi- 

 pelago, was, beyond doubt, impracticable for an}' vessel of even 

 moderate size. We therefore returned, and coasted along the 

 island of 8. Cayetann ; and, on arriving at its S. and W. point, 

 we found that what had appeared to us, from the mountains of 

 Port S. Joseph, to be a deep bay, was, in fact, the true en- 

 trance of the Channel of S. Barbara ; but that it was so crowded 

 with islands, great and small, that no vessel could prudently 

 attempt to go through it, especially considering the rapidity 

 and contrariety of the currents which prevail throughout it. 

 Thinking it useless to continue any longer our examinations of 

 this part of Tierra del Fuego, we returned to Port Galan, 

 where we found the frigate precisely as we had left her, the N. 

 and NE. winds, which we had enjoyed in our excursion, not 

 having extended to her. 



We shall not be accused of rashness in affirming, after this 

 enquiry, that there are many communications from the Strait 

 of Magellan to the Southern Ocean ; but that the navigation 

 through any of them will never deserve to be undertaken or 

 recommended, since the course of the winds, the currents, the 

 narrowness of the channels, and, above all, the difficulty of 

 anchorage in them, must always be insurmountable obstacles 

 in the way of the navigator. 



Agreeably to our purpose of surveying what remained unex- 

 plored of the Strait of Magellan, by means of our boats, with- 

 out any more hazarding the frigate, which had thriee attempted 

 to advance to the westward, bat had been as often driven back 

 by contrary and violent winds, running several times the great- 

 est risk of utter destruction, and considering the frail state of 

 our cables and anchors,, and the unfavourable nature of the 

 greater part of the bays and roads to the westward, we again 

 sallied forth in the boats, in continuation of our labours, not in- 

 tending to return to, Port Galan until we had finished our re- 

 marks on the whole strait. ' 



For this purpose two launches were fitted-out, and manned 

 with several of the most experienced officers and seamen of the 

 ships. Leaving Port Galan at 1 p.m. with a light air from the 

 WNW. we took advantage of the current setting westward 

 along the north shore ; although, in the middle of the strait, 

 it set to the eastward. On turning out of the bay, we came up 

 with a canoe and a party of Indians, employed in cutting-ofF 

 for food pieces of a whale, which they had fastened to the rocks. 

 In the evening, we set up our tents on a spot of beach where 

 were the ruins of some huts ; and, to guard against a surprise, 

 kept a regular watch, as on ship-board. Setting off next morn- 

 ing at 3 A.M. with alight breeze from SE. we entered the chan- 



