fathoms black grey sand; 3 Leagues farther 76, coarse black sand; Tack'd, and at noon had 70 fathoms black gravel and Small Stones of different Colours. Saw several flights of black Sheerwaters. Wind W.S.W., S.W.; course S. 18° W.; distance 38 m.; lat. 52° 54′ S., long. 63° 10′ W.
Wednesday, 11th.—A Steady Genteel breeze and clear weather. P.M. after standing 13 Leagues S.S.W. Sounded 64 fathoms Gravel and small Stones; Standing S.W. by S. 11 leagues farther, had 46 fathoms, the same sort of bottom. At 8 a.m. saw the land of Terra del Fuego, extending from the west to the S.E. by S., distance off shore between 3 and 4 Leagues; sounded and had 35 fathoms small, soft, Slate Stones. Variation 23° 30′ E. In ranging along shore to the S.E. at the distance of 2 or 3 leagues, had 27 and 26 fathoms muddy bottom. Saw some of the natives, who made a Smook in several places, which must have been done as a Signal to us as they did not continue it after we passed. By our Longitude we ought not to have been so far to the Westward as Statenland, as it is laid down in the Charts; but it appeared from Subsequent Observations that the Ship had got near a Degree of Longitude to the Westward of the Log, which is 35 Miles in these Latitudes. Probably this in part may be owing to a Small Current setting to the Westward, occasioned by the Westerly Current which comes round Cape Horn and through Strait La Maire, and the inDraught of the Streights of Magellan. Wind westerly; course S. 30° W.; distance, 100 miles; lat. 54° 20′ S., long. 64° 35′ W. per log.
Thursday, 12th.—First part, moderate breezes and Cloudy; remainder sometimes a fresh breeze, sometimes Calm, Hazey weather with rain. At 5 the wind coming to the Northward obliged us to Tack and Stood N.-Westward, being then about 5 Miles from the Shore, and had 23 fathoms, sandy Bottom. At Midnight Tackt and Stood to the Eastward. At Noon the Land over the Entrance of Straits La Maire, E.N.E., distance, 7 leagues; Soundings from 28 to 38 fathoms. Wind N., N.N.E., variable, W.S.W.; lat. 54° 34′ S. per observation.
Friday, 13th.—The greatest part of this day little wind and Cloudy. At 8 p.m., Cape St. Diego, at the west entrance of Straits La Maire, E., distance about 5 leagues. Keept under an easey Sail until daylight, at which time we were abreast of Cape St. Diego, and then put into the Straits, but the Tide soon turned against us and obliged us to haul under the Cape again and wait until 9 a.m. when it shifted in our favour. Put into the Straits again with a Moderate breeze at S.W., which soon grew Boisterous with very heavy Squalls, with rain and hail, and obliged us to Close reef our Topsails. Wind N.E. by E., W.S.W., S.W.; lat. 54° 39′ S.; at noon, Cape St. Diego N. 2 leagues.
