66 



porter's journal. 



frequently the immediate precursors of a fresh gale and un- 

 pleasant weather, which was as unexpectedly succeeded bv 

 calms and sunshine. 



On the morning of the 1 1th, the weather was remarkably 

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

 fair, with every appearance of a continuation. Our lati* 

 tude 51° 13' south ; longitude 63° 53' west ; and depth of 

 water seventy-four fathoms, fine grey sand. I embraced 

 the opportunity 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 northward, and the weather became 

 extremely hazy, which I regretted extremely, as it pre- 

 vented our getting an observation. The breeze was, howe- 

 ver, very fine and increasing ; I therefore felt confident of a 

 short run to Staten Land, and steered away more to the 

 eastward ; we had studding-sails set on both sides, and our 

 rate of sailing from seven to nine miles per hour. 



On the 1 3th, the wind continued to increase, and the wea- 

 ther 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 ahead, 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 current, which was indicated by a violent ripple, and 

 seeing an unusual quantity of kelp, some of which, as though 

 it had been dead and drying on the beach for some time, 

 together with considerable flocks of birds, much resembling 

 geese, induced me to believe that I must be very near the 

 shore. I therefore caused a good lookout to be kept, took 

 in top-gallant-sails, double-reefed the topsails, furled the 

 mainsail, and had every thing prepared, in case it should 

 be necessary, to haul our wind ; and at half past six had 

 cause to rejoice that I had taken such precautions, as 

 breakers were discovered, bearing E. S. E. and S. E., dis- 

 tant about three fourths of a mile, and in a few minutes 

 afterwards, the land appeared in the same direction ; Wf' 



