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would be permitted. Where so many unforeseen circumstances
may disturb the best-concerted arrangements, and where so
much depends on climates and seasons with which we are not
yet intimately acquainted, the most that can be safely done is
to state the various objects of the voyage, and to rely on the
Commander’s known zeal and prudence to effect them in the
most convenient order.
“ Applying this principle to what is yet to be done in the
Strait, and in the intricate group of islands which forms the
Tierra del Fuego, the following hst will show our chief desiderata.
“ Captain King, in his directions, alludes to a reef of half a
mile in length, off Cape Virgins, and in his chart he makes a
seven fathoms’ channel outside that reef; and still further out,
five fathoms ivith overfalls. Sarmiento places fifty fathoms at
ten miles E.S.E. from that Cape; thirteen fathoms at nineteen
miles; and, at twenty-one miles in the same direction, only
four fathoms, besides a very extensive bank projecting from
Tierra del Fuego, between which and the above shoals Malas-
pina passed in thirteen fathoms. In short, there is conclusive
evidence of there being more hanks than one that obstruct the
entrance to the Strait, and undoubtedly their thorough examination
ought to be one of the most important objects of the
Expedition; inasmuch, as a safe approach to either straits or
harbours is of more consequence to determine than the details
inside.
“ None of the above authors describe the nature of these
shoals, whether rock or sand; it will be interesting to note
with accuracy the slope, or regularity, of the depths, in their
different faces, the quality of their various materials, and the
disposition of the coarse or fine parts, as well as of what species
of rock in the neighbourhood they seem to be the detritus ;
for it is probable that the place of their deposition is connected
with the very singular tides which seem to circulate in the
eastern end of the Strait.
“ Beginning at Cape Orange, the whole north-eastern coast
of Tierra del Fuego as far as Cape San Diego should be sur'
i|x
veyed, including the outer edge of the extensive shoals that
project from its northern extreme, and setting at rest the
question of the Sebastian Channel.
“ On the southern side of this great collection of islands,
the Beagle Channel and Whale-boat Sound should be finished,
and any other places which the Commander’s local knowledge
may point out as being requisite to complete his former survey,
and sufficiently interesting in themselves to warrant the time
they will cost; such as some apparently useful ports to the
westward of Cape False, and the north side of Wakefield
Channel, all of which are said to be frequented by the sealers.
“ In the north-western part it is possible that other breaks
may be found interrupting the continuity of S‘^- lues Island,
and communicating from the Southern Ocean with the S tra it;
these should be fully or cursorily examined, according to their
appearance and promise; and though it would be a very useless
waste of time to pursue in detail the infinite number of hays,
openings, and roads, that teem on the western side of that
island, yet no good harbour should he omitted. I t cannot
he repeated too often that the more inhospitable the region, the
more valuable is a known port of refuge.
“ In the western division of the Strait, from Cape Pillar
to Cape Froward, there are a few openings which may perhaps
be further explored, on the chance of their leading out to sea ;
a few positions which may require to he reviewed ; and a few
ports which were only slightly looked into during Captain
King’s laborious and excellent survey, and winch may now be
completed, if likely to augment the resources of ships occupied
in those dreary regions.
“ In the eastern division of the Strait there is rather more
work to be done, as the Fuegian shore from Admiralty Sound
to Cape Orange has not been touched. Along with this part
of the service, the Islands of Saints Martha and Magdalena,
and the channel to the eastward of Elizabeth Island, will come
in for examination ; and there is no part of the Strait which
requires to he more accurately laid down and distinctly described,
from the narrowness of the channels and the trans-
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