18 



Occurrences in the Namgation 



to the SW. and, at 7|, went at the rate ef two miles in 

 an hour in that direction. At 9 p.m. the boat returned, 

 informing us, that, in steering to the WNW. there was a suf- 

 ficiency of water, but that the entr}^ of that pass had not been 

 observed. At 9| we got under-sail, in search of better an- 

 chorage; and at 10|- p.m. again anchored in 23 fathoms sand 

 and stones, believing ourselves to be at no great distance from 

 the pass. The greatest force of the current here, that we 

 could discover, was about three miles an hour. 



At 8 on the following morning, the current, which, since 

 2 A.M. had set towards the JNE. having lost much of its force, 

 we got under sail; and, at noon, being opposite to that pass, 

 the current setting westerly, carried us even against the wind, 

 until we reached the middle of the channel, when the wind 

 falling, and the current beginning again to return towards the 

 ]S[E. we were obliged to come to anchor in 38 fathoms, lying 

 very close to the north shore of the pass. We immediately sent 

 the boat to land, in order to continue our geometrical opera- 

 tions, which returned at 8 p.m. every thing being performed 

 to our satisfaction, and brought a great quantity of shell-fish. 

 It was impossible to procure any lamas or guanacos, although 

 many were seen at a distance; and three zorillos, which were 

 shot, were obliged to be thrown into the sea, on account of the 

 abominable smell of their water, which might be perceived at a 

 great distance. 



The strength of the current increased continually, until, at 

 7 P.M. it amounted to 7| miles in an hour. Hence, if we sup-- 

 pose that its greatest force must be in the middle of the channel 

 of this first pass, we may conclude it to be one of the most 

 japid on the face of the globe. 



In the evening of this day ceased, for the first time, the 

 reigning winds from the W. and for three hours together Ave 

 Lad them very fresh from I^E. and N. Notwithstanding the 

 dan2:er of night-navigation in these parts, we resolved to 

 take advantage of this wind, as well as of the current, which 

 would soon be in our favour. We therefore began to weigh, 

 and, after some diiEculty, got the anchor a-peak. Being now 

 3'eady to set sail, in the hope of making some progress during 

 the night, we were far from imagining that, in this place, fresh 

 disasters awaited us. Neither the two capstans, nor any other 

 contrivance we could think of, were able to raise the anchor, 

 but all gave way, and the cable ran quite out to the end, made 

 fast to the mainmast ; so that it became now most difficult to 

 set sail in the dark, and in a current running SW., first, at the 

 rate of 4^ miles, and, afterwards, of 6 miles per hour. In this 

 situation, our distress was extreme j for the vessel was running 



