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18 Occurrences in the Navigation to the SW. and, at 1\, went at the rate of two miles in an hour in that direction. At 9 p.m. the boat returned, informing us, that, in steering to the WNW. there was, a suf ficiency of water, but that the entry of that pass had not been observed. At 9§ we got under-sail, in search of better an chorage; and at 10§ p.m. again anchored in 23 fathoms sand and stones, believing ourselves to be at no great distance from the pass. The greatest force of the current here, that we could discover, was about three miles an hour. At 8 on the following morning, the current, which, since 2 A.M. had set towards the NE. having lost much of its force, we got under sail; and, at noon, being opposite to that pass, the current setting westerly, carried us even against the wind, until we reached the middle of the channel, when the wind falling, and the current beginning again to return towards the NE. we were obliged to come to anchor in 38 fathoms, lying very close to the north shore of the pass. We immediately sent the boat to land, in order to continue our geometrical opera tions, which returned at 3 p.m. every thing being performed to our satisfaction, and brought a great quantity of shell-fish. It was impossible to procure any lamas or guanacos, although many were seen at a distance; and three zorillos, which were shot, were obliged to be thrown into the sea, on account of the abominable smell of their water, which might be perceived at a great distance. The strength of the current increased continually, until, at 7 p.m. it amounted to 7f miles in an hour. Hence, if we sup pose that its greatest force must be in the middle of the channel of this first pass, we may conclude it to be one of the most rapid on the face of the globe. In the evening of this day ceased, for the first time, the reigning winds from the W. and for three hours together we had them very fresh from NE. and N. Notwithstanding the danger of night-navigation in these parts, we resolved to take advantage of this wind, as well as of the current, which would soon be in our favour. We therefore began to weigh, and, after some difficulty, got the anchor a-peak. Being now ready to set sail, in the hope of making some progress during the night, we were far from imagining that, in this place, fresh disasters awaited us. Neither the two capstans, nor any other contrivance we could think of, were able to raise the anchor, but all gave way, and the cable ran quite out to the end, made fast to the mainmast; so that it became now most difficult to set sail in the dark, and in a current running SW., first, at the rate of 4^ miles, and, afterwards, of C miles per hour. In this situation, our distress was extreme; for the vessel was running