Narrative of the surveying voyages of his majesty's ships Adventure and Beagle (vol.2): between the years 1826 and 1836 : describing their examination of the southern shores of South America, and the Beagles's circumnavigation of the globe

Jan. 1833. port desire — gale. 303 ing, raises the water ; and the reverse. Although ships drawing fourteen feet have passed the bar, at unusually favourable times, others of only ten feet draught have been detained forty days in the river. 29th. Both our little vessels sailed, and on the 4th of Janu- ary they anchored safely in Port Desire : — this was a bold stroke, but success attended it. They were thus placed at the southernmost point of the coast they were to survey, while the sun was farthest south ; and as the days shortened, they would work along the coast northward. Recent traces of Indians were found ; and the master of an American sealer told Mr. Wick- ham that they had been there in considerable numbers, about two months previously. The wells were all full ; therefore much rain must have fallen during October, November, or December. I have mentioned elsewhere that although the eastern coast of Patagonia is usually an arid desert, there are periodical times, of short duration, at which rain falls abundantly. 11th. Having rated their chronometers, the little vessels stood out to sea, in company with the North American sealer but they had not sailed many miles before the wind increased to a gale, and still becoming stronger, bringing clouds of dust and sand off the land, they were reduced to bare poles, and drifted fast off-shore, as well as northward. When the fury of the gale was over, their balance-reefed foresails were set, and with their tillers unshipped they made very good weather, until they were driven near the tide-races off Cape Blanco, where some anxious hours were passed, half-buried in foam, and the wind again almost a hurricane. Towards evening, the storm abated ; our water-soaked explorers succeeded in regaining a position under shelter of the land ; and anchored next morn, ing under Cape Blanco, to dry themselves and take observa- tions. In this severe gale, the North American schooner split two close-reefed foresails, lost a boat, and was otherwise damaged. Lieutenant Wickham and Mr. Mellersh walked a long way