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

Jan. 1827. pifficulties. 73 " In working to windward we frequently extended our ' boards ' to the south shore (not without risk considering the state of the weather), with the hope of making out Tuesday Bay, or some anchorage thereabout ; but the coast was covered with so thick a mist, that not a single point, mentioned by preceding navigators, could be recognised. " About seven in the evening we were assailed by a squall, which burst upon the ship with fury far surpassing all that preceded it ; had not sail been shortened in time, not a stick would have been left standing, or she must have capsized. As it was, the squall hove her so much over on her broadside, that the boat which was hanging at the starboard quarter was washed away. I then stood over to the north shore, to look for anchorage under the lee of a cape, about three leagues to the north-west of Cape Tamar. On closing it, the weather became so thick that at times we could scarcely see two ships' lengths a-head. " These circumstances were not in favour of exploring unknown bays, and to think of passing such a night as was in prospect, under sail in the Straits, would have been a desperate risk ; I was obliged therefore to yield the hard-gained advan- tage of this day's beat, and run for the anchorage whence we had started in the morning. " It was nearly dark ere we reached it ; and in entering, desirous to keep well up to windward, in order to gain the best anchorage, I went too close to the outer islet, and the ship struck violently on a rocky ledge. However, she did not hang a moment, and was soon anchored in safety." Finding so much danger and difficulty, in proceeding with the ship, without first knowing where to run for anchorages. Captain Stokes left her in Tamar Bay, under the charge of Lieutenant Skyring; and, accompanied by Mr.FKnn, set out in the cutter, with a week's provisions, to examine the south coast. In a very arduous and dangerous cruize he discovered several well-sheltered anchorages, but experienced a " constant heavy gale from W.N.W., with thick weather and incessant di-ench- ing rain."