Page:Colnett - Voyage to the South Pacific (IA cihm 33242).djvu/49

CHAPTER III.

Remarks on the Navigation round Cape Horn.

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1793.I have doubled Cape Horn in different ſeaſons; but were I to make another voyage to this part of the globe, and could command my time, I would moſt certainly prefer the beginning of winter, or even winter itſelf, with moon-light nights; for, in that ſeaſon, the winds begin to vary to the Eaſtward; as I found them, and as Captain, now Admiral, Macbride, obſerved at the Falkland Iſles. Another error, which, in my opinion, the commanders of veſſels bound round Cape Horn commit, is, by keeping between the Falkland Iſles and the main, and through the Straits Le Maire; which not only lengthens the diſtance, but ſubjects them to an heavy, irregular ſea, occaſioned by the rapidity of the current and tides in that channel, which may be avoided, by paſſing to the Eaſtward. At the ſame time, I would recommend them to keep near the coaſt of Staten Land, and Terra del Fuego, becauſe the winds are more variable, in with the ſhore, than at a long offing.

If it ſhould be obſerved, that a want of wood and water may render it neceſſary for veſſels to ſtop in the Straits Le Maire, I ſhall anſwer, that there is plenty of water at the Falkland Iſles; and Staten Iſland, not only abounds in both,