24 Ckcurrences in the 'Navigation 



tacked off and on, to make CapJe Forward, which is the most 

 southerly extreniity of the north coast of the Strait ; and is 

 formed by a hill of moderate height, called by Sarmiento El 

 Mon o de St. Agueda. 



Towards night, the weather being easy, we resolved to con- 

 tinue under-sail, taking care to keep a good look out for the 

 shore on that side when we stood to the northward, because 

 the water is so deep close to the land, that we might have ran 

 on shore, before we had any suspicion of our danger. 



The greatest part of the next day passed in calms ; however, 

 partly bv liglit airs of wind, partly by towing, we at last got 

 to Cape Forward, whose latitude we found, by a good observa- 

 tion at noon, to be 53° 55' south. 



Although this position differs 10' or 12' from that laid-dowai by 

 some other navigators, yet, we trust, it is nearest to the truth ; 

 for, having determined the longitude of the same cape by 

 Arnold's time-piece, No. 71, and the position of Port St; Joseph, 

 observing its latitude with the quarter circle, the situation we 

 assigned to Cape Forward, from a high mountain at that har- 

 bour, agreed exactly with the difference of latitude and longi- 

 tude between the two points of observation deduced from the 

 time-piece. 



This day, whilst the frigate was under sail, we detached the 

 boat to both sides of the Strait, to examine the harbour and 

 roads ; and, having passed the night in the same manner, about 

 noon of the 25th we came to anchor in Port Solano, sufficiently 

 tired wqth the voyage of these three da3's, which was only eleven 

 or twelve leagues ; with keeping under sail for two nights with 

 some hazard, particularly in the second, when the wind, always 

 contrary, blew with considerable violence, and with a conti- 

 nual succession of tacks, in all which we experienced the ex- 

 cellent properties of our vessel. 



In the Bay of Solano (called by the English, Wood's Bay) 

 we remained four days, during which, the weather was so dark 

 and cloudy, that we could make neither observation nor survey 

 beyond what was necessary for laying down the draught of the 

 port. The bay or port of Solano is defended from the winds 

 from ESE. to N. and SW., but entirely open to those from 

 the southward ; and is so much narrowed by a bar formed by a 

 river that falls into it, that a vessel at anchor has scarcely room 

 to turn. 



This disadvantage we learned from experience ; for, during 

 all the time we lay there, we were never a moment at our 

 ease ; and, even during some severe gales from the S. our stern 

 tame to be in 3| fathoms water. 



The harbour is sheltered on the W, by a high mountain. 



