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

April 1830. kirke narrow — faster bay. 349 proceeded towards the Kirke Narrow. We had been unvary- ing in watching and trying the strength of the tides during our stay ; but the observations never accorded with those in the narrow, and our calculations this morning, after all the trouble we had taken, were found to be erroneous. On approaching the place we met a stream of tide setting to the S-W. between two and three knots; the wind was light; we sometimes gained ground — at others were forced back by the strength of the tide — and thus kept hovering near the entrance until eleven o'clock ; when the tide slackened, and we neared the eastern end, which is by far the narrowest part, and where, I appre- hended, every exertion would be required to clear the rocks; but fortunately it was at the moment of slack water — we passed through easily, and our anticipated difficulty vanished. This eastern entrance is narrowed by two islands, which contract the Avidth, at one part, to a hundred and fifty yards. When clear of this passage. Point Return, Point Desire, and Easter Bay were in sieht, and we found ourselves in a channel much wider than those to which we had been lately accustomed. To the south was a deep sound, apparently branching in different directions between high land, but our principal object was the low country to the N.E., and through this we were so sanguine as to make sure of finding a passage. In the evening we anchored in Easter Bay, and moored the schooner in four and six fathoms, over a muddy bottom. " Next morning (12th) the boats were prepared for going away to gain a better knowledge of the country around, to find out the best anchorage, and to become acquainted with some of the many advantages that, from the prospect before us, we considered ourselves sure of experiencing. Mr. Kirke went to examine Worsley Sound, and he was desired to examine every opening as he proceeded eastward. As soon as he was gone, I set about measuring a base between Easter Bay and Focus Island ; which, being of moderate height, appeared to be a favourable position for extending the triangulation. This work was soon finished ; but I was greatly disappointed, when on the summit of the island, with the view that presented itself