well as to verify generally the principal longitudes of Vancouver.
Our progress northward was tedious and uninteresting. On the 17th August, the Starling was despatched to Port Mulgrave, to make the necessary observations for fixing the position of Mount St. Elias, which I suspected might not be seen clearly every day, and therefore might cause us detention. Our course was directed northerly, wherever she could fetch, Port Chalmers, Etches, or Wingham Island.
On the 21st, with light airs at noon, we expected to see Montague Island; but the current having driven us much to leeward of our reckoning, we determined on seeking Rose Island, or the nearest spot on which I could secure our meridian distance. About five. Rose or Middleton Island was plainly discerned, which put an end to our constant excitement by the frequent reports of land which proved to be only clouds.
At nearly dusk, breakers were observed between the point we were steering for and the ship; a breaker curled close to our lee-beam; the lead giving fifteen fathoms, previous cast forty-four; hauled off into forty-five.
It being calm we drifted during the night to the south-east, and at six the following morning anchored in twenty-one fathoms. Accompanied by Mr. Hinds, assistant-surgeon, I landed to determine
