. i-
'T,;
I' Itt,
Mr
lit' 1
clear the land, hut got out of the scrape and were working
towards Hood Island when the man looking out aloft reported
a breaker, which proved to he on a rock at the west end of
MacGowen shoal. When first seen it was on the horizon, and
hardly differed from the topping of a sea;—once only in about
ten minutes it showed distinctly. We steered for it, lowered
two boats, and employed the rest of the day in examining this
very dangerous shoal, and fixing its position. One rock at
the west end is just a-wash, but there is another under water,
except in the hollow of a swell, about half-a-mile to the eastward,
which is exceedingly treacherous. We had two narrow
escapes this day; while weighing from Chatham Island, baffling
winds sent us a great deal too close to the cliffs before our
anchor was up, or the ship under command; and while
sounding along the edge of MacGowen shoal we were drifted
so close to the second rock, mentioned above, that I was not
sure on which side of us it lay.
14th. Anchored and examined Hood Harbour, having heard
there was a sunken rock in it which our boat had not discovered,
but we found nothing dangerous for a ship. Shoal
water and large blocks of lava lie near the shore in the harbour
; but a vessel must have stood too close in if she touches
thereabouts. Left Hood Island at noon, and steered for the
southern part of Charles Island. Having a fine breeze we
rounded Saddle Point at eight, and anchored at nine off Black
Beach.
15th. I went to Post-Office Bay and near the best landing
place, found some excellent salt, which though but small in
quantity gives a hint that more may be got elsewhere.
16tb. Weighed in the afternoon, having obtained the necessary
observations, and went to Black Beach Road to take in
wood, potatoes, and pigs. We there found a small schooner
at anchor, just arrived from Guayaquil, and having, among
other things, a hag of letters from England, for the Beagle.
That very evening we were to leave Charles Island; not to
return ! In the schooner were some emigrants ; who brought
cattle, and information that the governor, Villamil, might be
2 K 2