ANCHOR IN TOM BAT. 
353 
PORT GRAPPLER TO TOM BAY. 
Jan. 6t7i . — There being nothing further to detain 
us, it was decided to proceed on our way southwards 
through Wide Channel. 
The day at first gave promise of being very fair, 
and the view of the great masses of rock on either 
side, the dark frowning headlands, and snowy peaks 
beyond, was remarkably fine. We stopped for a short 
time in the channel and dredged, getting a collection 
of starfish, echini, corals, and sponges; then pro- 
ceeded on, and anchored in Tom Bay, quite near the 
entrance to Conception Channel, on the east coast of 
Madre Channel. 
A few geese and other birds were observed, and it 
was decided to remain the next day for exploration, 
and to survey the anchorage. Many parties landed, 
but, after a fatiguing scramble through bushes and 
over the boggy ground, very little was obtained. 
However, sufficient of the vegetation was seen to 
show that it was very similar to that met with at the 
other anchorages. Continued and heavy rain fell, 
and during the early hours of the morning violent 
gales of wind, in squalls, swept down the gorges on 
us, causing the anchor to drag. Steam was, how- 
ever, at command, and no danger resulted. Still, all 
day the furious squalls blew through the ravines 
from the mountains at short intervals until evening, 
when the wind moderated. 
