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

40 MEMOKANDUM. them now possess fire-arms and ammunition, and are skilful in the use of them. Temper and vigilance will be the best preservatives against trivial offences and misunderstandings, which too often end in fatal quarrels ; and true firmness will abandon objects of small importance, where perseverance must entail the necessity of violence ; for it would be a subject of deep regret that an expedition devoted to the noblest purpose, the acquisition of knowledge, should be stained by a single act of hostility. (Signed) " F. Beaufort." " Hydrographical Office, 11th November 1831." FIGURES TO DENOTE THE FORCE OF THE WIND. Calm. 1 Light Air Or just suflSlcient to give steerage way. 2 Light Breeze ...?^q^ ^^^^ j^ ^^.^^ a man- [ ^ *° 2 knots. Gentle Breeze and clean full, would go 5 to 6 knots. Moderate Breeze Fresh Breeze . . Strong Breeze . . Moderate Gale . Fresh Gale Strong Gale Or that in which of-war, with all sail set, ^ 3 to 4 knots, in smooth water from Or that to which a well- \ conditioned man-of- Royals, &c. Single-reefed topsails and top-gall, sails. Double-reefed top- war could just carry ( sails, jib, &c, in chase, full and by top- Treble-reefed sails, &c. Close-reefed topsails L and courses. 10 Whole Gale ... .Or that with which she could scarcely bear close- reefed main-topsail and reefed fore-sail. 11 Storm Or that which would reduce her to storm stay- sails. 12 Hurricane Or that which no canvass could withstand.