Page:Narrative of a Voyage around the World - 1843.djvu/125

1837.] Vancouver in error nearly to the amount which he ascribes to Cook.

Finding ourselves becalmed near the flat island mentioned by Vancouver, and wishing to verify its position, I started in my gig for this purpose, but had not proceeded far when a light favourable air brought me back: all sail was crowded for Cape Hammond, which was rounded at midnight.

I had been running my eye over Vancouver, and noticed the difficulty he described in getting round this cape, by reason of an adverse current; otherwise I had fully intended to anchor within Wingham Island, and endeavour to intersect Mount St. Elias from thence, as well as rectify the errors in that neighbourhood. But time was now too precious, and the ensuing morn proved that my determination had been judicious, as we had gloomy weather, no sun, light wind, and could scarcely stem the current.

All our transit bearings and other observations, plainly indicated the charts to be erroneous about this region. A river appears to flow near Cape Suckling, which has not been noticed.

Our attention was suddenly attracted by the very peculiar outline of ridge in profile, which one of our draughtsmen was sketching, apparently toothed. On examining it closely with a telescope, I found, that although the surface presented to the naked eye a comparatively even outline, that it was actually one mass of small four-sided truncated pyramids,