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

456 TIDES — SOUNDINGS — VIEW. June 1830. gradually increases to this coast. From Cape San Diego the flood tide sets north and west along the shore, from one knot to three knots each hour, as far as twenty miles along shore ; and the ebb in a contrary direction, but not so strongly, except in San Vicente Bay. The flood in the Strait of Le Maire runs about two knots in mid channel, more or less according to the wind, and the ebb about one knot an hour. Perhaps, at times, when a strong spring tide is retarded in its progress by a northerly wind, there will be a dangerous overfall ofl" Cape San Diego, like the bores in some parts of the world. " The soundings are tolerably regular, and may give notice of an approach to Staten Land, or to the N. E. coast, and may guide a ship to the fairway of the strait ; but I should not place much confidence in them, near such a rocky coast as that of Staten Land. " Good Success Bay is an excellent anchorage for vessels of any size to stop in for wood or water ; but it would not answer if a vessel required to lie steady for repair, as a swell frequently rolls in. It is quite safe, yet, in the winter season, when easterly gales are common, no vessel should anchor so near the head of the bay as she might in summer ; for heavy rollers at times (though rarely) set in. Fish we did not try to get, not having spare time, and only a few birds were shot. " On the 8th, a very fine day with but little wind, we were off" the flat-topped hill, called the Table of Orozco ; and, from the mast-head, I had an extensive view of the adjacent country. About Success Bay and Bell Mount the land is high, but north of Success Bay it slopes away towards Cape San Diego, which is a long, low, projecting point. Thence, as far as I could see, the N.E. coast extended, low, excepting a few hills here and there, and unbroken by inlets ; the country near it being a pleasant looking hill and dale land, well wooded and quite free from snow. I could distinguish a snow-covered chain of mountains which must have lain near Admiralty Sound, the country on this side of them appearing to be a con- tinued succession of hill and valley, with only a few of the hills capped with snow, although this was the depth of winter.