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

TOWNSHEND HARBOUR DESOLATION. 389 carried us through Pratt Passage, which separates London Island from Sydney Island, to an anchorage in a good harbour, under a high peaked hill (Horace Peaks), which is a good mark for it. Finding no soundings in the Passage as we approached, gave us reason to be anxious ; but in the har- bour, the bottom proved to be excellent, and the water only of a moderate depth. As soon as we anchored, I tried to ascend Horace Peaks, but returned without having reached their sum- mits before dark ; however, I saw enough to give me a general idea of the distribution of the land and water near us. I thought that this anchorage would be favourable for ascertaining the latitude of Cape Schomberg* with exactness : having found a considerable difference between our chart and that of Lieute- nant Skyring, respecting the latitude of that promontory. " Meanwhile I contemplated sending the master to a head- land called by Cook, Cape Desolation, and which well deserves the name, being a high, craggy, barren range of land. I was not sorry to find myself in a safe anchorage, for the weather seemed lowering ; and after being favoured with some moderate days, we could not but expect a share of wind and rain. " 29th. This morning the weather looked as if we should be repaid for the few fine days which we had enjoyed ; but as we felt it necessary to work in bad weather as well as in good, it did not prevent the master from setting out on his way to Cape Desolation; near which, as a conspicuous headland, whose position would be of great consequence, he was to search for a harbour, and obtain observations for connecting the survey. He could not have been in a finer boat (a whale-boat built by Mr. May, at San Carlos) ; and as he well knew what to do with her, I did not feel uneasy for his safety, although after his departure the wind increased rapidly, and towards evening blew a hard gale. The bai'ometer had not given so much warn- ing as usual ; but it had been falling gradually since our arrival in this harbour, and ct>ntinued to fall. The sympiesometer had been more on the alert, and had fallen more rapidly. " (30th.) A continued gale, with rain and thick weather • A high mountain at'the N.W. end of London Island.