April 1.Strong breeze from the westward, with fine weather; but there was too much sea to admit of our trying for deep soundings, which I much wished to do, as to-day, at noon, we were only seventy-two miles from Diego Ramirez rocks, being in latitude 59° 20′ S., and longitude 70° 23′ W. It was remarkable that we could not perceive any indications of our approach to land; the ocean preserved its clear blue colour; there was no seaweed, and but few birds to be seen: but this may arise from the current, which we found setting to the eastward at the rate of from twelve to sixteen miles daily, which would carry away with it all the seaweed that might be torn from the rocks, and which would be followed by the sea fowl in search of their food, consisting of shell-fish and other marine creatures, which attach themselves to its stems or leaves, and find a shelter amongst its denser patches.
At 8 p.m. we passed due south of Diego Ramirez rocks, at about twenty-two miles distance; and having run till midnight, we hove to, and tried for, but did not obtain, soundings, with two hundred fathoms of line. We now hauled up N. by E. for April 2.Cape Horn, which I wished to sight at daylight; but the wind suddenly shifted to the N.N.E., and frustrated my intention, compelling us to stand to south-eastward, as the rapidly-falling barometer and threatening aspect of the sky gave us notice of a storm: this came on before noon, at which time we were in latitude 57° 25'′ S., longi-