r
.¿ 1 ^ '
I )
" ■ 7; 7:l 7'■
' 7'V;
r
CHAPTER XVI.
Soundings—Anchor in Santa Cruz—Lay Beagle ashore for repair.—
Prepare to ascend River—Set out—View of surrounding country—
Rapid stream—Cold—Ostriches—Guanacoes—Indians—Fish—Cliffs
— Firewood—Lava Cliffs — Difficulties—Chalia—See Andes—Farthest
West—View round — Return — Danger — Guanaco hunters—
Puma—Cat—Tides—Sail from Santa Cruz.
I n working to the westward from Berkeley Sound to the
Iliver Santa Cruz, we sounded frequently, and found that the
depth is nowhere much above one hundred fathoms between
those places. But the water is not of so little depth between the
Falklands and Cape Virgins, or Tierra del Fuego; for there
we could not strike soundings in some places, towards the
islands, with one hundred and fifty fathoms of line.
On the 13th we anchored in the Santa Cruz, and immediately
prepared to lay our vessel ashore for a tide, to ascertain
how much injury had heen caused hy the rock at Port Desire,
and to examine the copper previous to her employment in the
Pacific Ocean, where worms soon eat their way through unprotected
planks. (16th.) When on the beach, at a place we afterwards
called ‘ Keel Point,’ it was found that a piece of the false
keel under the ‘ fore-foot,’ had been knocked off, and that a few
sheets of copper were a good deal rubbed. By Mr. May’s exertions
all was repaired in one tide; and the following day we
were making preparations for an excursion up the river.
17th. An examination, or rather a partial exploring, of the
River Santa Cruz had long been meditated. During the former
voyage of the Beagle, Captain Stokes had ascended the rapid
current as far as a heavy boat could be taken ; but his account
served only to stimulate our curiosity, and decided my following
his example.
Three light boats were prepared (whale-boats strengthened):
as much provision as they could stow with safety was put into
them, and a party of officers and men selected. Lieut. Sulivan,
I'ji