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The Beagle being ready to resume her voyage, sailed on the
19th of November to survey the southern coasts of Tierra del
Fuego; after which, she was to rejoin the Adventure at Rio
de Janeiro.*
As the Adelaide had received some damage in getting
aground, it was requisite to lay her on the beach for examination
and repair. Her mainmast, also, was found to be sprung
so badly, as to render a new one necessary ; which we should
have found much difficulty in obtaining, but for the kindness
of General Aldunate, who, finding that we were at a loss, proposed
to give us the flag-staff of the town, a beautiful spar of
alerse, that was in every way suitable. Previously, however, to
accepting his offer, being aware that such an act might expose
him to much reproach from the people of the town, who were
all very proud of it, I caused inquiry to be made whether a
spar of the necessary dimensions could be brought from Calbuco
; and in the meantime we proceeded with the repairs.
A creek behind Sandy Point offering every convenience for
heaving her down, the Adelaide was moved into it, and laid
on the beach. On stripping her copper off, the injury proved
to be considerable ; but not beyond our means to repair. Upon
examination, the foremast was found to be in a had state, but
could he rendered effective by fishing it with the sound portion
of the other mast, therefore our only real difficulty was to get a
mainmast. From the account I received from Calbuco, I found
that, without a great delay, not less than two months, and
sending a portion of our people with ropes and tackles, there
was no chance of procuring a spar: it could only be obtained
at a considerable distance from the shore, and when felled must
be dragged over several high ranges of hills, which might he
called mountains, before it could be got to the water-side.
General Aldunate, through whom this inquiry was malle, then
renewed his offer of the flag-staff, which I accepted most thankfully
; and by his order it was taken down, and conveyed to
the ship, soon after which it was converted into an excellent
mainmast for the schooner. Before it was moved, a new, but
* See orders to Captain Fitz Roy, in the Appendix.
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