NAUTICAL REMARKS. 
639 
north-west end of Oonemak, and afterwards keeping along the coast of that island to the 
southward. As this island lies forty miles to the northward of the other islands of the chain, 
Amnak e.xcepted, which is three degrees to the westward, it cannot be mistaken, unless the 
reckoning of the ship is very incorrect indeed. And by so doing, in the event of not liking 
to attempt the passage, a vessel will still be far enough to windward, supposing the breeze to 
be from the northward, to weather the other islands of the chain ; and if from the westward, 
she may reach into Bristol Bay. 
We had no opportunity of seeing the summits of either Oonemak or Alaska, wdiich, 
when clear, are good guides for the strait* ; but when the low land of the former can be seen, 
the south-west point of Oonemak may be known by a pointed rock situated near the base of 
a remarkable wedge-shaped cliff, conspicuous from the northward and north-westward. The 
narrowest part of the strait is between this rock and Coagalga Island, and the distance exactly 
nine miles and a half, in a S. 1« 30' E. (true) direction. In a line between these, at the 
distance of four miles from the rock, there are soundings in thirty fathoms, and I understand 
that if necessary there is anchorage close under Oonemak. 
Coogalga Island is about four miles in length, and may be known by a remarkable peak 
near its N. E. extremity, in latitude 54“ 16' 52" N., and longitude 164o 47' 06" W. The 
variation off it is 20“ 50' E. 
From the Aleutian Islands to San Francisco we steered nearly a direct course, with 
winds generally from the N. W. and W., and made Punta de los Reyes on the 3d November, 
In this passage the currents were variable. From Beering’s Strait to the Aleutian Islands 
they prevailed to the westward, and near the islands ran strong, but afterwards they continued 
between S. E. and S. W. On our arrival off California, the whole amount, in 1826, was 
S. 89“ W. sixty-four miles ; and in 1827, S. 26“ W. forty miles. 
REMARKS ON THE PASSAGE FROM MONTEREY (neW CALIFORNIA) TO WOAHOO, SANDWICH 
ISLANDS. 
January 5th to 9.5th, 1827. 
This passage was begun at a period when the north-west and westerly winds are pro- 
verbially prevalent upon the coast of New Albion, and extend a considerable distance to the 
westward. 
We sailed from the Bay of Monterey on tlie 5th January, and immediately took a 
northerly wind, which carried us into the trades; and we arrived offMowee on the twentieth 
day. Our passage might have been considerably shorter, had we not taken a circuitous route 
in search of some islands reported to lie to the southward, and had sail been carried through- 
out the twenty-four hours, instead of hauling to the wind as soon as it was dusk, to maintain 
our position during the night, that nothing might be passed unseen within the limit of our 
horizon. 
As we left the extra tropical latitudes, the atmosphere gradually became more hazy and 
humid, the clouds increased, and in 18“ N. we had some showers of rain. On the 18th, in 
latitude 16“ 18' N. and longitude 136° W., we had a very strong trade at N. E., with squally 
• See Cook’s Tliird Voyage, vol.ii. 
