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

180 APPENDIX. this time any people on the shore could have seen the vessel five miles north or south of her, she not being more than a mile and a half from the beach, and having a large blue ensign at the fore-top- gallant-mast-head. At six, fired a rocket, as a signal to the shore ; no answer of any description being made, filled and stood off and on, to keep our posi- tion during the night ; fresh vidnds and squally, vi^ith heavy rain. Sunday, 28th. Strong vidnds from north-west, and squally wea- ther, with heavy rain ; shortened saU to foresail, and headed to the westward ; thirty minutes past ten, saw the island of Mocha south, distant eight miles, sounded in fifteen fathoms ; wore to north-east, and carried all possible sail to get out of the bight ; fresh gales and squally, with a heavy cross sea. Monday, 29th. More moderate, but wind still from the northward. At nine a.m. spoke the Blonde, on her way to the supposed place of the Lebu ; kept our wind, endeavouring to fetch Tucapel Head, where we had seen the fire three days before ; noon, Tucapel Point east- north-east, three-quarters of a mile distant ; obser\'ed two fires on Tucapel Head ; tacked to the westward, to fetch the Head. At thirty minutes past two, Tucapel Point east-north-east, nine mUes ; while four men were aloft (James Bennett, gunner's mate. Beagle ; John Nutcher, boatswain's-mate ; John Macintosh, A.B. John Mitchell, A.B., of Blonde), bending the fore-topsail, which had been split the previous night, the vessel gave a very hea\y pitch, which sprung the foremast, a little below the cross-trees ; and on her recovering herself, the head of the mast snapped short off, a foot below the fore-yard, bringing with it aU above, and also the four seamen who were aloft ; the mainmast, having no support left from the tryatic stay, and the deck-stay being aft, ready for tacldng, the great weight of the main-boom, added to the pressure of the wind on the mainsail, brought the mainmast by the board, fore-and-aft the deck, striking the taffraU in its fall, which again carried it away, leaving the head of the mast hanging by the rigging over the stern, striking heavUy against the rudder and the middle-piece in midships on the deck. Fortunately, none of the seamen were seriously injured, as they resolutely kept their hold of the topsail-yard, and were carried with it into the sea, out of which they soon escaped by means of the rigging that was hanging over the side. Every effort was immediately used to clear the wreck, and get