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

368 CAPE INMAN LATITUDE BAY. DeC. 1829. this spot ; I called it Latitude Bay. It is remarkably easy of access, and is also easy to leave : rather rare qualities in a Fuegian Harbour. Cape Innian being prominently situated, is a good guide to the anchorage. " Sunday 20th. A fine day ; and, knowing its value, we turned it to account. From a height I saw Cape Gloucester and the point of land on this (the northern) side of it ; and to the northward I could distinguish the land about the entrance to the Strait. The Landfall Islands appeared to be the top of a ridge of mountains lying (pai'tly below the sea) in the same direction as most of the neighbouring ranges. Many dangerous rocks lie off the S.W. side ; and there is no passage for a ship between the islands, for the opening is narrow, and has only two fathoms in some places. " 21st. This morning I sent the master and Mr. Wilson* in a whale-boat to the east end of the island, to make a plan of that part, and get some angles and bearings necessary for con- tinuing the survey. " 22d. A bad day, blowing hai'd and raining. The wind being: from north and N.N.W. threw in a swell; and as we were not yet sure of the quality of the bottom, though apparently good, we struck topmasts and veered away a long scope of cable. " 24th. The wind shifted to the S.W. and became rather more moderate, though still squally, with much rain. It freshened again in the night, and backed to the northward. " Christmas-day. Blowing strong from N.N.W. with a thickly clouded sky and heavy rain. I was very anxious to see the master return, but he could not in such weather. I feared that his provisions would be exhausted, having taken only enough for four days ; yet they had a good tent, guns, and ammunition. " 26th. A strong wind with thick weather and much rain throughout the whole day. There was no possibility of sending a boat to the master, or of his returning by water. The island being very narrow he, or some of his party, could walk across, • Mate, lent to the Beagle, from the Adventure.