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

CHAPTER IV. Loss of the Thetis— Causes of her wreck — Approach to Rio de Janeiro — Owen Glendower — Disturbance in Rio Harbour — Observations Chronometers — Return to Bahia — Deaths — Macacu — Malaria — Return to Rio de Janeiro — Meridian Distances — Regatta — Fuegians — Lightning — Leave Rio — Equipment — Santa Martha — Weather Santa Catharina — Santos — River Plata — Pamperoes — Gales off Buenos Ayres — Monte Video — Point Piedras — Cape San Antonio — River Plata — Currents — Tides — Barometer — Absence of trees — Cattle. Among the shipwrecks which have taken place during late years, perhaps none excited so much astonishment, or caused so much trouble and discussion, as the loss of that fine frigate the Thetis. Had any seaman been asked, on what frequented shore there was least probability of a wreck, I almost think he would have answered on that of Cape Frio. Yet, against the high cliflPs of that bold and well-known coast did she run ' stem on,' going nine knots. One may conceive the shock and general consternation as she crashed against the rocky cliff, and all her masts fell inboard. As some who turn over these pages may not have read the proceedings of the Court-martial held after the return of her officei-s to England, I will insert a short account, derived chiefly from those of old friends and shipmates, who were on board her at the awful time of Iter wreck. The Thetis sailed from Rio de Janeiro on the 4th of Decem- ber 1830, and worked to the southward all day, against a southerly wind and thick foggy weatlier. At Ih. 30m. a.m. on the 5th, she saw Raza Island for the last time, bearing N.W. by W., and distant eight or nine miles. The weather was still hazy, indeed at times very thick, and the wind south- east. She stood off on the larboard tack until seven a.m., and then the wind having increased, and a cross sea getting up, she wore to the eastward. Soon afterwards the wind drew to SS.E., and the ship was kept by the wind on the F 2