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

340 WALKER BAY — GUI A NARROW. March 1830. de Dios, and brought up in Walker Bay. Fortunate we were, too; for before midnight the weather became so stormy as to oblige us to strike the topmasts and yard, let go a second anchor, and veer a long scope of cable. At few places in these chan- nels where we had anchored, could we have veered even half a cable. We remained the following day, and on the 21st, the weather being moderate, ran for the Guia Narrow, and having a favourable tide, passed through easily. "It was my wish to have anchored among the islands to the southward of Cape Charles, since that would have been the most convenient place for the Adelaide, while examining the opening beyond Cape San Antonio ; but hauling round the headland into a bay formed by those islands, no soundings could be gained ; and not perceiving any bight at all likely to afford shelter, I continued my course for Puerto Bueno, where Sarmiento thoiiglit there was good anchorage. In the evening, with the assistance of the boats, we moored in Schooner Cove, Puerto Bueno, and the next day, Mr. Kirke went to examine the opening north of San Antonio. " While we remained, a plan was made of this port, which lies live miles S.E. from Cape Charles and three and a-half from Bonduca Island. The shore is steep, and without any inden- ture. To the southward is Lear Bay, a mile in extent, affording anchorage, but not to be chosen when such an excellent haven as Puerto Bueno is near. The south extreme of this bay forms the north point of Pvjerto Bueno, and a few hundred yards south of that point is Rosamond Island, which is low and pointed ; four hundred yards S.S.E. of this, is a small round islet, bold to on every side ; and between this islet and a low point, a quarter of a mile to the S.E., is the widest channel to the ancho- rage. Sarmiento, indeed, most appropriately named it Puerto Bueno. It has both an inner and an outer port, the depth of water throughout is from nine to six fathoms, and any position in either I consider safe; but excepting that it affords better shelter, it differs in no respect from other anchorages in these regions. Wood and water are generally found in abundance near them all ; fish may be caught ; geese, ducks, shags, and