A Voyage to the South Atlantic and round Cape Horn into the Pacific Ocean, etc./Chapter 3
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, but possesses several excellent harbours. I first visited this place with Captain Cook, in the year 1774; and, on my outward-bound passage to the North West coast of America, in the year 1786, as commander of the merchant ship, Prince of Wales[1]. I wooded and watered there, and left a party to kill seals. For my own part, I do not perceive the necessity, according to the opinion of different navigators, of going to 60° South. I never would myself exceed 57° 30′, to give the Isle of Diego Ramieres a good birth, or, if winds and weather would permit, make it, for a fresh departure, had I not taken one at Cape Saint John, Staten Land, or the East end of Falkland Isles. Staten Land is well situated as a place of rendezvous both for men of war and merchant ships; while the harbours on the North and South sides, which are divided by a small neck, would answer the purpose of ships bound out, or home. But the North side offers the best place for an establishment, if it should ever be in the view of our government to form one there[2].
- ↑ To the owner of this ship I was first introduced by one of the most eminent merchants of the City of London.
- ↑ If the navigation round Cape Horn should ever become common, such a place we must possess; and agreeable to the last convention with Spain, we are entitled to keep possession of it, and apply it to any purpose of peace or war. Great advantages might arise from such a settlement, from whence the black whale fisheries might be carried on to the South Pole, in the opinion of all the North Greenland fishermen, with whom, I have conversed on the subject. Besides, it is one of the easiest land-falls a sailor can make. In order to render this place a defensible, and protecting settlement, many experienced men, lieutenants, in his Majesty's navy, might be found, at very little extra expense to government, to live in a situation, which would be far preferable to many stations in Norway, that I have seen. The officer placed there, should be invested with full powers to regulate all fishers, fishing in those parts, or navigating round Cape Horn, that stop at the port.