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C H A P T E R X X IV .
A F E W N A U T I C A L l l E M A R K S U P O N T H E P A S S A G E R O U N D C A P E
H O R N ; A N D U P O N T H A T T H R O U G H T H E S T E A I T O F M A G A L H
A E N S , O R M A G E L L A N .
Ships bound from the Atlantic to any of the ports in the
Pacific, will find it advantageous to keep within one hundred
miles of the coast of Eastern Patagonia, as well to avoid the
heavy sea that is raised by the westerly gales, which prevail to
the eastward, and increase in strength according to the distance
from the land, as to profit by the variableness of the wind
when it is in the western board. Near the coast, from April
to September, when the sun has north declination, the winds
prevail more from the W.N.W. to N.N.W. than from any
other quarter. Easterly gales are of very rare occurrence,
but even when they do blow, the direction being obliquely
upon the coast, I do not consider it at all hazardous to keep
the land on board. In the opposite season, when the sun has
south declination, the winds will incline from the southward
of west, and frequently blow hard; but, as the coast is a
weather shore, the sea goes down immediately after the gale.
In this season, although the winds are generally against a
ship’s making quick progress, yet as they seldom remain fixed
in one point, and frequently shift backward and forward six
or eight points in as many hours, advantage may be taken
of the change so as to keep close in with the coast.
Having once made the land, which should be done to the
southward of Cape Blanco, it will be beneficial to keep it
topping on the horizon, until the entrance of the Strait of
Magalhaens be passed.
With respect to this part of the voyage, whether to pass
through Strait Le Maire or round Staten Island, much
difference of opimon exists. Prudence, I think, suggests the