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

Dec. 1829. ADELAIDE A^D ADVENTUEE SAIL. SOI shorter staff, with a topmast, was fitted for the flag ; notwith- standing which, many unpleasant observations were made, and absurd reports circulated, which spread to Chile, and even to Peru, that the English were about to take possession of Chiloe, and had already removed the flag-staff of San Carlos. By Lieutenant Mitchell's activity in superintending the Adelaide's repairs, she was got ready for sea at the beginning of December, and sailed on the 8th, under the command of Lieutenant Skyring, with orders* to survey those parts of the Gulf of Penas which had not been examined by the Beagle; particularly the River San Tadeo, in San Quintin's Sound ; the openings behind Xavier Island ; the Channel's Mouths ; and the Guaianeco Islands, where the Wager was wrecked : and then to proceed down the Mesier Channel, behind the Island Campana, which was supposed to communicate with Concepcion Strait, by the Brazo Ancho (or Wide Channel) of Sarmiento. He was then to go to the Ancon sin Salida, examining all the openings into the main land, on his way, and search for a communication with the large waters, discovered by Captain Fitz Roy, through which he was to try to enter the Strait, and join the Adventure, at Port Famine, during the month of April. Lieutenants Skyring and Graves again took with them, by Captain Fitz Roy's permission, Mr. Kirke and Mr. Bynoe, of the Beagle ; Mr. Alexander Millar and Mr. Parke also accom- panied them. Having thus despatched our companions, we prepared, on board the Adventure, to return to Valparaiso; intending to proceed to Rio de Janeiro; by way of Concepcion, Port Famine, and Monte Video ; for the sake of adding some links to our chronometric chain : with a view to which, I hud taken the opportunity of having the chronometers cleaned at Valparaiso by Mr. Roskell, agent for Messrs. Roskell chronometer-makers at Liverpool. General Aldunate being on the point of returning to Valparaiso, I had an opportunity of obliging him, and show- ing my sense of the assistance, and essential kindness we had • See orders to Lieut. Skyring, in the Appendix.