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

March 1830. Indian cove— sympiesomkter, 421 for a vessel arriving from sea. We found an empty North- American cask, apparently left that season : on a height near the cove there was a pile of stones we had not time to examine and much wood appeared to have been cut down lately by the crew of some vessel. We saw several wigwams, but no Indians. That night we stopped near the S.W. point of the sound, close to Gold-dust Island. " 23d. After examining the cove, in which we passed the night, and taking observations, we crossed Duff Bay, towards Leading Hill. I wished to have seen more of a promising bay on the east side of Morton Island, where I thought there was good anchorage, but could not afford time, as it was probable that we should be delayed in our return along this exposed part of the coast against the prevailing winds. There is a con- siderable tide between Morton Isle and the point next to Gold- dust Isle. The flood comes from the westward, about one knot, or at times two knots, an hour. With the ebb it is nearly slack water, or perhaps there is a slight tendency towards the west ; and such appears to be the case all along this coast, from Christmas Sound. We reached Leading Hill late in the after- noon, although the wind had increased much and was directly against us : at night it blew a gale from the westward. " 24th. A strong gale prevented our moving, or making any beneficial use of our time. " 25th. Still blowing very fresh; but I thought we could pull round into the next bay, and there do some good by planning the harbour, &c., although we might get no farther for some days. From the season, tfie state of the sympiesometer, and the appearance of the weather, I did not expect any favourable change until about the end of the month. The sympiesometer was my constant companion : I preferred it to a barometer, as being much more portable and quicker in its motions. By great exerti9n on the part of the men, for it required five hours'' hard pulling, we got round a headland into the next bay, a dis- tance of only four miles. It rained great part of the time, and in the afternoon poured steadily, but we succeeded in finding a sheltered spot for our lodging, and soon put ourselves into