il
66 SQUALLS— SOUNDINGS CAPE FRIO.
vicinity any connection witli the fact ? Thinking myself 6iat
they have, I would beg the reader to bear this idea in mind,
when, at another pai't of this narrative, the squalls so frequent
in the dangerous archipelago of the low islands are
mentioned.*
]Mai-ch 30th. We sailed and sounded in vaiious directions,
but such irregular depths I never found elsewhere. Sudden
iumps, from tlurty to ten, sometimes even to four fathoms,
in successive casts of the hand-lead, gave us frequent alarm ;
but by keeping a boat a-head, and two leads going briskly, we
avoided danger, and giving up exploring, regained before dai'k
the safe channel which runs north and south between the
AbroUios and tlie main land, and steered to pass near Cape
San Tomé, or St. Thomas. Next day we were off that cape,
but saw none of the breakers which have been so frequently
reported to lie at a dangerous distance from the neighbouring
shore; although we looked out for them, and steered so as to
pass the places where I was informed they would be seen.
On the 3d of April, we passed Cape Frio. I wished to
visit the cove in which the Lightning and Algerine lay, while
recovei-ing the treasure sunk in the unfortunate Thetis, but
circumstances were unfavourable.
• T h e Bermuda Islands (“ still vexed Bermoothes” ) may also be
thought of, as being similarly circumstanced.
'v \
CHAPTER IV.
Loss of the Thetis-Causes of her wreck—Approach to Rio de Janeiro
—Owen Glendower—Disturbance in Rio H a rb o u r-Observations-
Chronometers — Return to Bahia—Deaths — Macacu—BIalaria —
Return to Rio de Janeiro—Meridian Distances—Regatta—Fuegians
—Lightning—Leave Rio —Equipment—Santa Martha—Weather__
Santa Catharina—Santos—River Plata—Pamperoes—Gales off Bueno.s
Ayres—Monte Video —Point Piedras —Cape San Antonio—River
Plata—Currents—Tides—Barometer—Absence of trees—Cattle.
A mong the shipwrecks which Inave taken place during late
yeai's, perhaps none excited so much astonishment, or caused
so much trouble and discussion, as the loss of that fine frio-ate
the Thetis. °
Had any seaman been asked, on what frequented shore there
was least probability of a wreck, I almost think he would
have answered on that of Cape Frio. Yet, against the higli
cliffs of that bold and well-known coast did she run ‘ stem
on,’ going nine knots. One may conceive the shock and
general consternation as she crashed against the rocky cliff,
and all her masts fell inboard.
As some who turn over these pages may not have read the
proceedings of the Court-martial held after the return of her
officers to England, I will insert a short account, derived
chiefly from those of old friends and shipmate.«, who were on
hoard her at the awful time of her wi-eck.
The Thetis sailed from Rio de Janeiro on the 4tli of December
1830, and worked to the southward all day, against a
southerly wind and thick foggy weather. At Ih. 30m. a .m .
on the 5th, she saw Raza Island for the last time, bearing N.W.
by W., and distant eight or nine miles. The weather \vas
still hazy, indeed at times very thick, and the wind southeast.
She stood off on the larboard tack until seven a .m .,
and then the wind having increased, and a cross sea getting
up, she wore to the eastward. Soon afterwards the wind
drew to SS.E., and the ship was kept by the wind ou the
F 2
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