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

Feb. 1830. fatal bay — mr. Millar's death. 333 work until the 1st of February, (c) On that day we sailed, and entered the Mesier Channel, anchoring in a small open bay, the only stopping-place we could perceive; which, from the loss we sustained shortly after our arrival, was called Fatal Bay. It is insecure, and the anchorage ground confined : the only convenience was, that wood and fresh-water were near. During our stay we had much rain, which retarded us. Mr. Kirke went away in a boat, whenever the weather per- mitted, and, on the 8th, we sailed for an anchorage, about ten miles to the southward, where he had previously been ; but a sad event happened before our departure. " On the afternoon of the 3d, we had the misfortune to lose Mr. Alexander Millar, who died in consequence of a severe attack of inflammation of the bowels, which carried him off, after an illness of only three days. " On Thursday afternoon he was buried, close to the shore, near the anchorage, and just within the edge of the wood. " That our progress had been so slow during the last month, was a great disappointment ; but Ave had had many causes of detention. All the early part of January the weather was stormy: eighteen days we were anchored within the Channel's Mouth ; yet during two only could our boats leave the vessel. " Among the Guaianeco islands we had moderate vveather, but also much wet : still the chief cause of our delay, I fear, was my own illness. From the beginning of January, I had been confined to my bed, with a tedious and obstinate disease ; and from that time most of the angles were taken, and all the observations were made, by Mr. Kirke, who was ever exceedingly willing and indefatigable. After the loss of Mr. Millar, not only almost the whole duty of surveying fell upon him, but much of the duty of the vessel. " At noon this day (8th), we moored in Island Harbour, a small but excellent landlocked anchorage, with good holding Cc) During much of this cruise, Lieutenant Skyring was so ill that he was unable to leave the Adelaide ; and for a month he was confined to bed. His illness was caused by fatigue, and by sitting too long M'hile con- structing charts. — R. F.