Narrative of the surveying voyages of his majesty's ships Adventure and Beagle (vol.1): between the years 1826 and 1836 : describing their examination of the southern shores of South America, and the Beagles's circumnavigation of the globe

72 beagle's dangek. Jan. 1827. every side by rocks and breakers."* The Beagle was under similar circumstances, but the land beino; known to be high and bold, her danger was not considered so imminent. Eastward of Cape Upright the water was smooth ; but between it and Cape Providence a heavy breaking sea was caused by the deep swell of the Pacific. Captain Stokes found an ancliorage the next night in a bay under Cape Tamar ; and tlie following evening very nearly reached another under Cape Phillip ; but the darkness of a rainy night, and strong squalls, prevented their attempting to anchor in an unknown place, and the only resource was to bear up for shelter under Cape Tamar, where the previous night had been passed. Even this was a dangerous attempt ; they could hardly discern any part of the high land, and when before the wind could not avoid the ship's going much too fast. While running about eight knots, a violent shock — a lift forward — heel over — and downward plunge — electrified every one ; but before they could look round, she was scudding along, as before, having fairly leaped over the rock. It was afterwards found that a great part of the gripe and false keel were knocked away. Captain Stokes's account of this day's beat will give an idea of the difficulties which the Beagle's crew encountered, in working out of the Strait. January 31st. "The hands were turned up at daylight " up anchor ;" but the heavy squalls that came off the high land of the harbour, rendered it too hazardous to weigh, until a temporary lull enabled us to make sail, and re-commence beating to the westward against a dead foul wind, much rain, hard squalls, and a turbulent cross sea. " The squalls became more frequent and more violent after noon ; but they gave, in daylight, sufficient warning, being preceded by dark clouds gradually expanding upwards, until their upper line attained the altitude of about fifty degrees : then came heavy rain, and perhaps hail ; immediately after followed the squall in all its fury, and generally lasted fifteen or twenty minutes. • Ilawkesworth's Coll. of Voyages, vol. i. p, 7*>-