316 NAVIGATION OF STEAMERS 



be taken on boards and after remaining seven 

 days^ for the purpose of recruiting and putting 

 the engines in order, take their departure for 

 the Pacific, under steam, keeping near the coast 

 of Patagonia, to the entrance of the Straits of 

 Magellan. The distance from Montevideo to 

 Valparaiso, is two thousand six hundred and 

 eighty miles, which, at an average of seven 

 and a half miles per hour, would be accom- 

 plished in fifteen days. As the quantity of 

 coal required to steam this distance might be 

 short, it would be advisable to stop at Port 

 Famine in the Straits of Magellan, which is 

 an excellent harbour, abounding in wood and 

 water, and there receive such a quantity of the 

 former as the spare room on board could ac- 

 commodate, and resume the course for Valpa- 

 raiso ; and as the prevalent winds are from 

 south-west, a few days only would probably 

 be required to reach their destination. Should 

 the weather prove rough and boisterous, with 

 the wind blowing from the west, the passage 

 by Sir John Norborough^s Islands might be 

 taken down through the Archipelago, as far as 

 Tres Montes, or any other passage seaward. 



The following would be the result of the 

 voyage : 



