634 
APPENDIX. 
When clear of Terra del Fuego, 1 should recommend stretching to the westward as 
far as the meridian of 82“ or 83®, about the parallel of Cape Pillar, before shaping a course along 
the coast of Chili. 
From Chili to the Atlantic ships should pass outside Massa Fuera, and if opportunity 
olFered, get as far west as 85° or 90®, in order that the south-westerly winds, which 
they will afterwards he certain to meet, and generally blowing strong, may be turned to 
advantage. I would even recommend keeping to the westward of 83° until past the parallel 
of 53° S. This precaution appears to be the only one necessary, as the remainder of the 
passage from that situation is in general very easily performed. With regard to passing inside 
or outside the Falkland Islands, I think the latter preferable, especially in winter, as the 
winds sometimes hang in the eastern quarter at that period, and are apt to run a ship in 
with the River Plate. 
From the Falkland Islands to Rio Janeiro the winds are very uncertain. Ships may, 
however, generally reckon upon encountering at least one pampero between 33° and 37“ N.*, 
and on meeting with northerly or north-north-easterly winds, wdien within two hundred or 
three hundred miles of Cape Frio. It is better, in the latter instance, to stand out to the east- 
ward in preference to the other tack, as it will almost always happen that they will there meet 
an easterly wind to carry them up to the Cape. It has been found very difficult to get up 
near the shore from Ila Grande and St. Catherine’s. 
PASSAGE FROM VALPARAISO TO OTAHEITE. 
November 4ith to March \8th. 
This was made in the summer, when the trade-wind extends further south than at 
other times of the year ; otherwise it would be advisable to get into a lower latitude than that 
in which our course was directed. The winds with us were very variable, but always fair. 
I know of nothing worthy of remark here except the current, which, on our arrival at 
Elizabeth Island, was found to have set the ship three hundred and forty-nine miles to the 
westward in thirty-nine days, or at the rate of 8*95 miles per day. 
Our route from Elizabeth Island was directed to each of the islands lying between it 
and Otaheite, and we afterwards met with too many interruptions to estimate the rate of the 
currents; but at this time of the year in particular, there does not appear to be much in any 
direction. At other times, however, I am told that there is great difficulty in getting to wind- 
ward. In this sea the westerly monsoon, which sometimes extends as far as these islands, 
checks the regularity of the trade-wind, and it is not uncommon at such times to meet a 
westerly wind with heavy rain. This is liable to occur from December to February or 
March. The trade-wind in this route in general hangs more to the eastward than the S. E. 
trade in the Atlantic. 
* These winds appear to be of frequent occurrence off the River Plate ; they are generally preceded by 
strong N. W. winds, and a low altitude of the barometer. Care is necessary to avoid being taken aback by the 
wind shifting suddenly to the S. W ., which it sometimes does after a heavy squaU. In deep laden ships it 
would be prudent to lie to with the head to the N. E., as they would then bow the sea, which often runs very 
high on the shift of wind ; whereas, on the other tack they would have their stern exposed to it 
