182 ArpENnix.
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south-west extreme of the island about four points on the lee-bow;
but the wind increasing and gi^'ing the vessel more way, enabled her
to pass about three-quarters of a mile to "windward of the outer
breaker, on which the sea was breaking furiously; the island itself
was only visible at intervals, owing to the thickness of the weather,
and constant, heavy rain.
At five, the weather being a little clearer, saw the island, its
centre bearing north-east, four miles distant; stood to the southward
during the night, fresh breezes from south-west throughout.
Wednesday, July 1st. Dayhght, employed rigging the fore-yard as
a jury main-mast; calm, with drizzling rain and a heavy swell; by
noon got the jury main-mast up, and set fore stay-sail for a mainsail,
secured the boat's mast to the tafirail, and set the sail for a
mizen. At five, a light air from the southward, stood to the westward
during the night (no stars visible).
Thursday, 2d. Strong winds from west-north-west; stood to the
south-west; at thirty minutes past eight, observed a schooner west,
standing to the northward; hoisted the ensign union down in the
fore-rigging; but she passed within a mile to windward, and took
no notice of us. Noon, weather the same; wore to north-west; thirty
minutes past four, observed the land east-north-east, supposed
Cocale Head; wore, and stood to the south-west; fresh breezes and
squally, with rain at times; no stars visible throughout the night.
Midnight, wore to the northward.
Friday, 3d. Moderate from the westward, with rain at times,
employed setting up rigging and securing masts; latitude observed
(withm a few miles) 39° 23' S.
Repaired the Beagle's boat, which had been badly stove by the
fall of the masts, as well as our means would allow. Moderate from
the westward, until two, A.M., when the wind shifted to the northward
; wore to the westward.
Saturday, 4th. Moderate, with rain at times, wind north-west;
employed as most necessary, fitting grummets for sweeps, in case of
a calm, and being drifted near the land. Latitude observed nearly
38° 40f. S. P.M. Employed as before ; at eight o'clock, wore to the
northward ; moderate throughout the night.
Sunday, 5th. Light winds from north-west, and fine clear weather;
employed repairing sails, chafes, &c. Latitude observed, 38° 35'S.
At one, P.M., observed the island of Mocha, south extreme bearing
ArPF.xm.<. 183
north-east about twenty miles ; at five, the south extreme bore north
fifty-six east, and by the angle to the north extreme eighteen miles
distant. Light airs from north-west and fine weather ; at nine, tíie
wmd sliifted to south ; trimmed and steered north by west; midnight,
strong winds and fine.
Monday 6th. Strong breezes from south-south-east ; at daylight,
Tucapel Head north-north-east ; hauled up for it ; at ten, observed
a vessel in shore ; but suddenly lost her, and could not agam get
sight of her.* Noon, Camero Head east (true), distant ten miles ;
found a strong current setting along shore to the southward, with at
times a heavy ripple, until one, P.M., when it changed and set to the
northward, and off-shore withal ; at six. Dormido Rocks south-southeast,
distant two miles ; steered north-east by north for the Paps of
Bio Bio ; but found it necessary to haul up north-east, and latterly
north-east half-east, owing to a strong current setting to the northward
and westward ; at thirty mmutes past nine. Paps of Bio Bio
south-south-east, distant three miles ; and at two, A.M. (Tuesday,
7th), the north point of Quiriquina bore south one cable distant ;
stood into the bay, hoping to fetch • Tomé,' there to anchor, until the
wind came more favourable for Talcahuano ; but the wmd being
scant, were obUged to wear (as the vessel would not stay), thereby
losing more than she gamed on each tack. At eleven, saw H.M.S.
Blonde commg down to us ; at one, we were taken in tow by the
Blonde, and carried into Talcahuano Harbour, at the south-west corner
of the bay of Concepcion ;. and at midnight we anchored.
A. B. UsBOKNE, July 7th, 1835.
No. 28.
WiNns AND WEATHER.
On the southern coasts of Chile, wmds from the southward, or
from the northward, prevail more than those from the west; and
very much more than those few which come from the east.
From south-south-east to south-west, and from north-west to
north (magnetic) are the points whence the wind usually blows—
with less or more strength, according to the time of year.
During the summer montlis, or from September to March, southerly
• The Blonde, shut in by a point of land—R. F.
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