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1)0 5,800 feet in height. It was named Mount Burney, in
cjinpliment to the admiral.
On the 17th the Adelaide reached Fortune Bay, situated at
the east extreme of a headland, on each side of which is a channel,
leading, apparently, towards Cape Isabel. The northern
seemed to be the principal one, and therefore was followed next
day (18th) as far as AVelcome Bay.
Continuing the survey onwards they reached Victory Passage,
which they entered, thinking they were in the mouth of
the ‘ Ancon sin Salida,’ as laid down from Sarmiento’s journal
by Admiral Burney. The weather, however, became so bad,
that they were obliged to take shelter in Island Bay, and the
next day the wind setting in from the eastward, they gave
up, for a time, their search for the ‘ Ancon sin salida,’ and
proceeded by Smyth Channel, as far as Hamper Bay, where
they were again detained by bad weather. Here a few rock fish
were caught, but at no other time during this cruise were the
fishermen successful, although the channel was so filled by
porpoises and seals, that it is probably well stocked with fish at
the proper season ; and there are many places where the seine
might be shot. Proceeding slowly on the 25th, the Adelaide
struck on a rock, and remained fast for a few hours, but as
the tide rose she swung off without damage. Upon examining
Rocky Bay they found it a complete bed of rocks; yet, bad as it
was, the Adelaide was obliged, to remain there five days, owing
to the tempestuous state of the weather. On the SOth they
reached the north end of Smyth Channel, and anchored in
Narrow Creek.
On the 31st Lieut. Skyring went to a remarkable hill,
which he called Mount Trafalgar, but thought it might have
been the ‘ Monte Trigo’ * of Sarmiento, so much did its appearance
remind him of a corn stack. The day was most favourable
; a round of angles, and an extensive view down Lord
Nelson’s Strait, were obtained from the summit. They remained
on an island all night, sheltered by the boat, and next morning
went to two points, called by Sarmiento ‘ Oueste,’ and ‘ Mas
* A heap, or stack of corn.
al Oueste,’ (west and more west,) returning to the Adelaide in
the evening.
The following morning was fine, and the Adelaide moved
out of Smyth Channel, the survey of which was completed very
satisfactorily, although their progress was slow, owing to constant
northerly winds.
By towing the Adelaide during tedious calms, they reached
Montague Bay in the evening, and next day anchored in
Relief Harbour, on the S.W. side of Vancouver Island.
As it was evident that the ‘ Ancon sin salida was within
Piazzi and Ceres Islands, up the west coasts of which they had
passed, Lieut. Skyring left the schooner moored in Belief
Harbour, and proceeded, on the 4th August, to the southward,
in a whale-boat with Mr. Kirke ;. but he took no more than a
week’s provisions, that time being all he could devote to this
exploration.
The 4th, 5th, and 6th, Lieutenant Skyring employed in
pulling or sailing to the southward and eastward, through
winding and intricate passages; although strong winds and
much heavy rain annoyed him, and impeded his progress.
On the 7th the weather was much more favourable than it
had lately been. The boat pulled and sailed to the southward,
and at noon Lieutenant Skyring ascended a height,* having
on each side of it a deep opening, but he was disappointed in
the view; and, after taking bearings, pulled round the adjacent
bights, one of which was exactly opposite Artist Bay, in
Smyth Channel, and so near it that the two waters were only
separated by a few hundred yards ;•!• the other,) eastward of the
height, was large, and closed at the bottom by very low lands.
It was directly supposed to be the ‘ Ancon sin Salida; § but
Sarmiento’s description, and the chart compiled by Burney,
• No doubt the Mount Oración of Sarmiento, p. 144.—P .P .K .
t This place is described in Sarmiento’s journal, pv 144.—P .P .K .
Í Ensenada de la Oración of Sarmiento.—P .P .K .
§ T h is bay is also described by Sarmiento as an ‘ Ancon sin sa lid a /
p. 143 ; but it is evidently not the one th a t bears th a t name on the chart.
—P .P .K .