I' 11(1^' I
{ Ph
.1 !
I ' , i
< to ,
' ‘
Cove. I afterwards went in a boat to Horn Island, to ascertain
the nature of the landing, and whether it was practicable
to carry any instruments to the summit of the Cape. Many
places were found where a boat might land; and more than
one spot where she could be hauled ashore; so that taking instruments
to the summit did not seem likely to be a very difficult
task. As the weather continued favourable I returned on
board that night, and the next morning (19th) arranged for a
visit to Cape Horn; a memorial having been previously prepared,
and securely enclosed in a stone jar.
After taking observations at noon for latitude, we set out,
carrying five days’ provisions, a good chronometer, and other
instruments. We landed before dark, hauled our boat up in
safety on the north-east side, and established ourselves for the
night on Horn Island.
“ ^Oth At daybreak we commenced our walk across the
island, each carrying his load ; and by the time the sun was
high enough for observing, were near the summit, and exactly
in its meridian ; so we stopped while I took two sets of sights
and a round of angles. Soon afterwards we reached the highest
point of the Cape, and immediately began our work; I and iiiy
coxswain, with the instruments; and Lieut. Kempe with the
boat’s crew raising a pile of stones over the memorial.
“ At first the Diego Iiamirez Islands were seen, but before
I could get the theodolite fixed and adjusted, the horizon became
hazy. At noon satisfactory sets of circum-mendional
altitudes were obtained with two good sextants. A round of
angles, compass bearings for the variation, and good afternoon
sights for time completed our success. The pile made over our
memorial was eight feet high, and in it were stones which
required the united exertions of all seven men to raise to the
top. We drank the health of His Majesty King George the
Fourth, and gave three hearty cheers, standing round the
Union Jack. Directly all was finished we travelled towards
our boat as fast as possible : but darkness surrounded us before
we were more than half-way. Those who had loads which
would not be hurt by tumbling about among bushes, travelled