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was obtained on Point Return; and in the afternoon, reluctantly
but anxiously, they retraced their way, and passed that
night at their former quarters, in Whale-boat Bay.
On the 10th, at daylight, they proceeded on their return.
The wind was fair until they reached Cape Earnest, when it
drew right against them; and they had the unpleasant prospect
of a tedious pull to the schooner, with very little provision.
The 11th was a thoroughly wet day, and the wind was so
strong from the northward, with a very heavy sea running,
that it was impossible to proceed.
On the 12th, they left the bay soon after daylight, and having
pulled along shore a few miles, crossed Union Sound, and
gained the Narrows of San Benito, the wind being still fresh
from the northward ; thence they continued pulling until they
hauled up, after dark, in a bay, opposite Point Benito, and
waited till the morning of the 13th, when with a fresh S.W.
wind they made good progress, which was of the more consequence,
as their provisions were expended, although they had
eked them out with corvorants and muscles. At last, the sight of
the Adelaide rejoiced them, and they soon afterwards reached
her. Their appearance was a relief to all who were on board,
as they were becoming very anxious, and Lieut. Graves was
preparing to send the other whale-boat in search of them.
During their absence he had made the necessary astronomical
observations, and finished the examination of those shores adjacent
to the harbours.
From the 13th to the 17th, the schooner was detained by-
had weather, and the following day only succeeded in reaching
Escape Bay, in San Estevan Channel, which was found to be
a good and well-sheltered anchorage, although small.
On the 19th, after angles had been taken on each side of the
Channel, the Adelaide got under weigh, and steered up the
Channel. At noon she passed the mount which they supposed
to be Sarmiento’s Monte Trigo, and soon after, nearing Espe-
ranza Island, they sought for some mark by which to recognise
the Mountain of the Fox (‘ Monte de la Zorra’). In the
white part of a cliff, they fancied some resemblance to an
animal, and noticed a harbour opposite, in which they anchored.
They had such trouble in getting to the northward, that this
day’s run, though only eighteen miles, was a cause of much
satisfaction.
On the 20th, at daylight, the boats were employed around
the anchorage, and at nine o’clock the vessel was underweigh,
and working to the northward, although it rained hard then,
as well as throughout the whole day, after beating until the
evening, she anchored on the west shore.
Constant rain fell through the whole night, and during the
21st; it was therefore impossible to make any progress to the
northward.
On the 22d the Adelaide weighed, and the weather being
calm, was towed during the whole forenoon. At noon a southerly
wind sprung up, and by the evening she was in the Guia
Narrows (of Sarmiento). They tried for anchorage in Unfit
Bay, conceiving it to be Sarmiento’s Port Ochavario; but
none being found, the vessel was towed into a cove, and securely
moored.
Next day the boats surveyed the Guia NaiTows. Although
long, they did not appear hazardous to pass, for the tides are
not very rapid. The ebb tide runs to the northward, but at
the south entrance of the San Estevan Channel, the ebb sets to
the southward; which difference in direction, within so short
a distance, is extraordinary, and difficult to account for without
knowing more of the coast. Certainly there is a meeting of
tides between the two entrances; probably, all the land westward
of San Estevan is a collection of large islands, and water
flows into this channel, from the Pacific, through many openings,
which may be the cause of this peculiarity.
24th. AVith light breezes from the eastward, the schooner
weighed and stood through the Narrows; passed Point San
Juan, and continued along the eastern shore of Concepcion
Strait to Guard Bay, where she was moored.
25th. Kainy weather until near noon, when the boats were
employed.
On the 26th the schooner was towed out, and, as it was calm.