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from the muddiness of the water we judged it could not be above thirty fathoms deep: here we found a very strong current setting to the S. E. Diego Ramirez, which is laid down in several charts as one island, on the contrary consists of two detached groups of rocky islets, bearing N. by W. and S. by E. from each other. The passage between the groups is about three miles wide, and (as I was informed by the master of a whaler) is clear of danger. Scarce any vegetation is found on them, the naked rock being every where visible. Cape Horn we passed at the distance of four leagues, and observed several patches of snow on its sides; the wind was at west, and the thermometer as high as forty-eight, with very pleasant clear weather. From the appearance of the Hermit's islands
