10 Porter''s Vmrn^e 



ference in our run, except on the 8th and 9th, in latitude 47" S6' 

 south, when we were set twenty-four miles to the westward. 

 When on soundings, we frequently met masses of a weed, called 

 kelp, of sufficient buoyancy to bear the albatrosses, and other 

 birds which kept about them ; but we never met with them off 

 soundings. We saw a few whales, but none approached us 

 nearer than a mile. 



The northerly winds have much the character of the southwest 

 winds on the coast of North America, and are generally accom- 

 panied with hazy weather. The southwest winds are clear and 

 cold, and bear no slight resem^blance to the nordiwest winds of 

 the same coast. The appearance of albatrosses and other birds 

 generally preceded a southerly wind, but few were to be seen 

 when the v/inds came from the northward. No certain guide, 

 however, can be given in this changeable climate, to enable you 

 to judge correctly of winds and weather ; the finest appearances 

 were frequently the immediate precursors of a fresh gale and un- 

 pleasant weather, wliich was as unexpectedly succeeded by calms 

 and sunshine. 



On the morning of the 11th of February the weather was re- 

 markably fine, the air clear and serene, the sea smooth, and the 

 wind fair, with every appearance of a continuation. Our latitude 

 51^ 13' south ; longitude 63" 53' v/est ; and depth of water 

 seventy-four fathoms, fine grey sand. I embraced the oppor- 

 tunity offered by the weather for repairing our rudder-coat, and 

 succeeded perfectly. Having no cause to go into port, I now 

 determined to make the best of my way round Cape Horn, and, 

 apprehensive of some difficulties in going through the Streights of 

 Le Maire, I decided to go to the eastward of Staten Land. The 

 latter part of the day, the wind hauled round from the north- 

 ward, and the weather became extremely hazy, which I regretted 

 extremely, as it prevented our getting an observation. The 

 breeze was, however^ very fine and increasing; I therefore felt 

 confident of a short run to Staten Land, and steered away more 

 to the eastward ; v/e had studding-sails set on both sides, and our 

 rate of sailing from seven to nine miles per hour. 



On the 13th, the wind continued to increase, and the weather 

 became still more hazy, with rain. At meridian, I calculated 

 that Cape St. John s, the eastern part of Staten Land, bore 

 south, half west, distant thirty-five miles; and although the 

 thickness of the weather prevented our seeing more than a mile 

 a head, a confidence of being able to see the land in sufficient 

 time to haul off to clear it, induced me to continue my run. At 

 four o'clock, the appearance of a strong curient, which was indi- 

 cated by a violent ripple, and seeing an unusual quantity of kelp, 

 some of which, as though it had been dead and drying on the 



