of the Straits 



21 



frequently with. furious blasts from the breaks in the mountains 

 of the continent ; and, towards night, came to anchor about 

 one mile from the land, and one league north from the point of 

 St. Maria; having received, in all this terrible day's work, but 

 iiiconsiderable damage ; and being enabled, from our own ex- 

 perience, to recommend it most earnestly to all navigators in 

 these parts, to keep as close as they possibly can to tlie coast of 

 the continent, that they may escape the dangers with which 

 we had been so lately surrounded. 



All the night the weather was cloudy, with showers of rain, 

 or rather snow : the wind continued with most furious blasts, 

 which, however, only effected one upper rigging, without reach- 

 ing the hull of the vessel, w^hicli was protected by the excellent 

 shelter of the land. The following day was employed in ex- 

 amining, with the boat, such parts of the coast as seemed to be 

 interesting, and making proper observations for constructing 

 the chart of the Strait, — a point, of Avhich we never lost sigiit 

 on-board the frigate, not even in the moment of greatest 

 difficulty and danger, — sounding and making remarks as often 

 as possible, even when our course, and the situation of the ship, 

 did not require it. 



The boat returned from this survey, bringing off five Indians 

 who had been met with on the beach, whose nudity, loathsome- 

 ness, and stupidity, filled us with equal disgust and commisera- 

 tion, naturally excited at the sight of such unfortunate objects, 

 who exist in the utm.ost wretchedness, wit'i Avhich, however, 

 they appear to be contented, doubtless from the very con- 

 lined circle of their ideas ; for, being ignorant of such things 

 as they do not want, they are sensible of no privation. On 

 their return to the shore, they joined their companions, who 

 waited for them, and all together accompanied the frigate, by 

 land, on her way to Puerto de la Hambre (Port Famine). 



On the 10th of January we sailed for that harbour, where we 

 anchored at 1 p.m. in !£8 fathoms, after turning up against the 

 winds from WJNW. to WSW. the whole way. We ear- 

 nestly recommend it to navigators to have their top-sails reefed 

 in sailing near this coast : otherwise they may meet with very 

 serious injury, from the sudden gusts of wind that break through 

 the rugged openings of the mountains. 



Port Famine is so called from the wretched remains of the 

 settlement of San Felipe, visited by Cavendish, the English tra- 

 veller, in 1587, at the time ihey were perishing with cold, hun- 

 ger, and every other distress. This harbour turniished us with 

 the means of repairing some part of our damages; of providing 

 wood and water, fish, and some other articles of refreshment ; 

 of acquiring some knowledge of the inhabitants of that part of 

 the Strait, and of placing the frigate in some degree of safety 



