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 A little bit about the Straits

The distance through the straits following the various channels, from Cape Virgins to Cape Pillar is 310 miles. When passing through, an entire change in the aspect of the country, and most likely in the weather, will be experienced in its various parts. From Cape Virgins to Cape Negro, the land is comparatively low, covered with grass, but not a tree visible. There are many shoals and banks, and the tidal currents are very rapid, with the rise of 44 foot and with very few anchorages. About Cape Negro wood commences, and the land gradually becomes higher. The forest is more denser and the mountains more lofty as Cape Froward is approached, and these characteristics continue as far as the eastern part of what is called Long Reach. From this point, through mountains still border the strait, trees become smaller and smaller, until toward the western end of the strait, the shores are absolutely bear and rocky, the ravines only showing a stunted, though dense and humid vegetation. The scenery from Cape Froward westward is excessively grand and savage: glaciers descend nearly to the sea, in some places, and frequently crown the precipices, but, it is but rarely that a voyager see the landscape to advantage. South of Sandy Point (where we anchored overnight) the shores are for the most part steep. The depth of water is considerable, and the principal difficulties in navigation are all but continuous, strong winds, accompanied by thick driving rain or snow and the scarcity of suitable anchorage at convenient distances for large steamers. In clear weather from the Second Narrows, to the high mountains on Dawson Island, and Mount San Felipe will be seen to the southward, forming an apparent barrier, blocking up the passage.

The view presented by these mountains from abreast Sandy Point is magnificent, and the spectator feels as though he were entering upon a totally new description of country from that passed incoming from Cape Virgins. It is too much for a weakling like I, to find a word that could express itself.