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

APPENDIX. ' 179 under the commodore's stern. Asked the commodore for some ballast, a few muskets, and a little powder ; was refused. Thirty minutes past four, received final orders ; made all sail, with the wind fresh from the southward, and ran through the small passage. On board the Carmen were : Mr. Wm. Thayer, master of the vessel. George Biddlecombe, 2d master of H.M.S. Blonde. Alex. B. Usbome, 2d assist, surveyor, ,, Beagle. James Bennett, gunner's mate, „ Beagle. John Nutcher, boatswain's mate, . „ Blonde. John Macintosh, A.B. „ Blonde. John Mitchell, A.B. „ Blonde, and ten men hired at Talcahuano, who were of very little, indeed almost no use as seamen. At about ten, p.m. the wind died away to nearly a calm, which continued throughout the night. Thursday, 25th. Daylight. Saw the Paps of Bio Bio E.S.E. by compass, nine miles distant ; light, variable airs from the northward throughout the day. Sun-set: north end of St. Mary S.b.W. six miles, calm aU night. Friday, 26th. Daylight. North end of St. Mary S.E. five miles ; light winds from the northward, until four, p.m., when thevdnd freshened from north-north-west, with heavy squalls of wind and rain ; sun-set, Camero Head, E. distant five miles. At thirty minutes past six, observed a fire on Tucapel Head, bearing south-east ; burnt a blue light, supposing it might be part of the Challenger's crew on their road to Concepcion ; but finding no alteration in the size of the fire, and it not corresponding vdth the signal agreed on, continued our course towards the supposed place of the Lebu, or Leiibu. Satiu-day, 27th. Strong winds from the northward, and squally weather, with heavy rain ; stood off and under foresail until two, p.m., when the weather cleared a little ; made all possible sail, and stood in for the point on which the Chaillenger was lost. At three, Mol- guilla Point E. two miles and a half distant, saw nothing of the wreck ; bore up, and stood along the land toward the southward, from one to two miles oiF shore, in search of the river Lebu. At five, P.M., having run ten miles south of Point Molguilla, and five miles south of the supposed place of the Lebu, and not seeing any thing of the wreck or crew of the Challenger, hauled off, and hove-to ; at