PACIFIC AND BEERING’S STRAIT. 
533 
through the channel, which is full of ridges, to pay strict attention to 
the lead, particularly as when Captain Cook passed over the same ground, 
there was, according to his chart, nothing less than twelve fathoms. 
The wind increasing, and a thick fog approaching, the course was con- 
tinued with some anxiety ; but finding the same irregularity in the 
soundings, I hauled out due west to the northward of King’s Island, 
which speedily brought us into twenty-eight fathoms, and showed that 
there was a bank, tolerably steep at its edge, extending from King’s 
Island to the main. We now resumed our course for the strait; but 
the fog being very thick we had some difficulty in finding the passage, 
and were obliged to haul off twice before we succeeded in passing it. 
In doing this we crossed a narrow channel, with thirty-seven fathoms 
water, which is deeper soundings than have been hitherto found within 
a great many miles of the strait. As the depth on each side of the 
channel is only twenty-four fathoms, it may serve as a guide in future to 
vessels circumstanced as we were at the mouth of the strait in a thick 
fog. A little before noon we discerned the Fairway Rock, and passed 
the straits in confidence before a fresh gale of wind, which had just 
increased so much as to render our situation very unpleasant. 
On the morning of the 5th we passed Cape Espenburg, and in the 
evening came to an anchor offChamisso Island, nearly in the same 
situation we had occupied so long the preceding year. On revisiting 
this island, curiosity and interest in the fate of our countrymen, of 
whom we were in search, were our predominant feelings ; and a boat 
was immediately sent to ascertain whether they had been at the island. 
On her return we learned that no new marks had been discerned upon 
the rocks; no staff was erected, as had been agreed upon in the event 
of their arrival; and the billet of wood containing despatches was 
lying unopened upon the same stone on which it had been placed the 
preceding year; either of which facts was a conclusive answer to our 
inquiry. 
By some chips of wood which had been recently cut, it appeared 
that the Esquimaux had not long quitted the island ; and on examining 
the grave of our unfortunate shipmate, w'e found it had been disturbed 
by the natives, who, disappointed in their search, had again filled in the 
CHAP. 
XVIII. 
1827 - 
