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of the sea. It is the highest land that I have seen in Tierra
del Fuego; and to us, indeed, it was an object of considerable
interest, because its appearance and disappearance were seldom
failing weather guides. In our Meteorological Diary, a column
was ruled for the insertion of its appearances.*
This clear state of the atmosphere was followed by a heavy
fall of rain, with northerly and easterly winds, which did not,
however, last long.
In the vicinity of our tents erected on the low land, on the
S.W. side of the bay, were several ponds of water, perfectly fit
for immediate use ; but, perhaps, too much impregnated with
vegetable matter to keep good for any length of time. Captain
Stokes, therefore, filled his tanks from the river; but as that
water did not keep well, it was probably taken into the boat
too near the sea. This, however, was unavoidable, except by
risking the boats among a great number of sunken trees in the
bed of the river.
The Beagle sailed on the 15th, to survey the western
entrance of the Strait, with orders to return to Fort Famine
by the end of March.
Our decked boat, the Hope, being ready, the command of
her was given to Mr. Wickham, who was in every way qualified
for the trust. We were, however, much mortified by
finding that she leaked so considerably as to oblige us to
unload, and again haul her on shore. When ready for
sea, she sailed under the direction of my assistant-siirveyor,
Mr. Graves, to examine the St. Sebastian channel and the
deep opening to the S.E. of Cape Valentyn. Her crew consisted
of seven men, besides Mr. Wickham, and Mr. Rowlett,
the purser.
Having despatched the Beagle and the Hope, I was at leisure
to carry on the survey of the coast in the neighbourhood of
Fort Famine, and to make a plan of the port itself. The
• A t a subsequent visit, embracing a period o f 190 days, it was only
seen on twenty-five, and during seven days only was it constantly visible.
On the remaining eighteen, portions only were seen, and those but for a
few hours a t a time.
i
Transit, and Altitude circle, were set up ; but from the very
unfavourable state of the weather, and the interference of other
occupations, I was only enabled to procure a series of zenith
distances of the sun, and stars, for the latitude.
Fort Famine, a name well known to all who have interested
themselves about the Strait of Magalhaens, was selected by
Sarmiento as the most convenient place for the site of an
establishment formed, at his suggestion, by Fhilip II. King of
Spain.
The voyage of Sir Francis Drake through the Strait into
the Facific, and his successes against the Spanish colonies and
trade on the western side of the continent of America, induced
theViceroy of Lima to send an Expedition to pursue the “ Corsair,”
with orders to fight and take him, dead or alive.* This
Expedition, commanded by Fedro Sarmiento de Gamboa, who
bad already been engaged twice with Drake, consisted of two-
ships, containing in all two hundred armed men, sailors and
soldiers; a force which was considered sufficient to ensure the
capture.
The Strait of Magalhaens being the most likely place to
meet with Drake, Sarmiento was ordered to proceed through,
it, and take the opportunity of exploring its coasts.
All this he performed in a manner highly creditable, as well
for the excellent description handed down in his unpretending
journal, as for the enterprising zeal, and steady perseverance,,
shown among difficulties of no trifling nature. To his accounts
of various places there will be frequent occasion to refer. Our
object, at present, is to give a short account of the Colony.
Sarmiento sailed from Feru (1683), and entered the Strait
from the Facific. After experiencing many serious difficulties,,
and escaping imminent dangers, in the western part of the
Strait, where the climate is so rigorous and the country so desolate,
it was not surprising that he should become enraptured
with the verdant, and picturesque appearance of the shores to
the eastward of Cape Froward, and with the open country in
if
• Sarmiento’s Voyage, p. 25. t Id. I.e.
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