t time from forty-three to fifty-seven fathoms water
on black sand and gravel; and, by an observation we had at noon, we
concluded that a current had set us twelve miles to the southward
of our reckoning. Toward midnight the wind abated, and we again made
sail, steering S. In the morning we discovered the southern land
beyond the Straits of Magellan, called Terra del Fuego, stretching
from S. by W.S.E. 1/2 E. This country afforded a very uncomfortable
prospect, appearing of stupendous height, every where covered with
snow, and shewing at its southern extremity the entrance into the
Straits of Le Maire at Cape St Diego.[3] We steered along this
uncouth and rugged coast all day, having soundings from forty to fifty
fathoms, on stones and gravel.

[Footnote 3: The western side of the entrance into the Straits of Le
Maire is formed by the Capes of St Vincent and St Diego; the former in
lat. 54 deg. 30', the latter in 54 deg. 40', both S. and long. 65 deg. 40' W.]

Intending to pass through the straits of Le Maire next day, we lay to
at night that we might not overshoot them, and took this opportunity
to prepare ourselves for the tempestuous climate in which we were soon
to be engaged, with which view we were employed good part of the night
in bending an entire new suit of sails to the yards. At four next
morning, being the 7th of March, we made sail, and at eight saw land,
and soon after began to open the straits, at which time Cape St Diego
bore E.S.E. Cape St Vincent S.E. 1/2 E. the middlemost of the Three
Brothers, hills so called on Terra del Fuego S. by W. Montegorda, a
high land up the country appearing over the Three Brothers; S. and
Cape St Bartholomew, the southernmost point of Staten Land, E.S.E. I
must observe here that, though Frezier has given a very correct view
of that part of Terra del Fuego which borders on these straits to the
westwards, he has omitted the draught of Staten Land, which forms
the opposite shore of these straits, whence we found it difficult to
determine exactly where the straits lay until they began to open upon
our view; and hence, had we not coasted a considerable way along the
shore of Terra del Fuego, we might have missed the straits, and have
gone to the eastward of Staten Land before discovering it. This has
happened to many ships; particularly, as mentioned by Frezier, to the
Incarnation and Concord, which, intending to pass through the Straits
of Le Maire, were deceived by three hi