ft
Mi
,1 -
rtM f
the north extremity of the sandy land of the Cape is i n a Jine wi th
the west extreme of the high table-land, you will be near the
anchorage ; then shorten sail, and when the green slope begins to
open, you will have fourteen fathoms; you may then anchor
or keep away to the N.E., and choose a convenient depth,
taking care not to approach the shore, so as to bring Cape
Gregory to the southward of S. by W .)W . (by compass).
The best berth is with the Cape bearing S.S.W.
Hence to the First Narrow, the course by compass is
due N.E. by E.* The land at the entrance being low, will
not at first be perceived; but, steering on, you will first see
some hummocky land, making like islands. 1 hese are hills
on the eastern, or Fuegian side of the Narrow. Soon afterwards,
a flat, low sand-hill will be seen to the northward,
and this is at the S.W. extremity of Point Barranca. On
approaching the narrow, at four miles off, keep a cliffy head,
four or five miles within the east side of the narrow, open of
the trend of Point Barranca, by which you will avoid the
shoal that extends oif the latter point. You should not go
into less depth than six fathoms. At most times of the tide
there are long lines and patches of strong ripplings, through
which you must pass. The shoal is easily distinguished by
the kelp.
When the channel through the narrow bears by compass
N. by E .fE ., steer through i t ; and that, or a N.N.E. course,
will carry you through. On each side, the bank extends oft’
for some distance; but by keeping in mid-channel, there is no
danger until the cliify coast be past, when reefs extend off
either shore for some distance, particularly off Cape Orange.
The N.N.E. course must be kept until the peak of Cape
Orange bears south, and the northern Direction Hill W.S.AV.,
or W. by S.^S. by compass. Then steer E.N.E. for Cape
Possession, taking care not to approach too near to the bank
• I f f r o m the Second Narrow, N.E . JE . will be the compass course;
but I should recommend a ship to haul up to the northward until abreast
o f C ape Gregory, and then to steer as above.
off Cape Orange, or to that on the north side of Possession
Bay, for which the chart must be consulted.
For a small vessel, the passage through the strait, from
west to east, is not only easy, but strongly to be recommended
as the best and safest route. Indeed, I think the passage
would be quite as expeditious, and perhaps much safer, to
enter the Gulf of Trinidad, and pass down the Concep9 ion
Strait, the Sarmiento or St. Estevan Channels, and Smyth
Channel, and enter the Strait at Cape Tamar. In these channels
northerly winds prevail, and there is no want of convenient
and well-sheltered anchorages for the night, many of
which have already been mentioned, and multitudes of others,
perhaps much better ones, might be found.
Ii f it) IIS
i;,. .