Page:Narrative of a Voyage around the World - 1843.djvu/49



On the 25th of September, 1835, her Majesty's ship Sulphur, three hundred and eighty tons, previously fitted for a surveying vessel, was commissioned by Captain Beechey as a sixth rate, with a complement of 109 men. Her Majesty's schooner Starling, one hundred and nine tons, fitted as a tender, was likewise commissioned by Lieutenant H. Kellett, both vessels being intended for carrying on the survey of the Pacific, from Valparaiso to 60° 30′ N.

On the 24th December they quitted Plymouth, and touching at Madeira January 7th, 1836, Teneriffe 13th, Rio de Janeiro February 19th, St. Catherine's February 28th, Monte Video April 6th, reached Valparaiso, the first port within the limits of their survey, on June 9th.

At this port Captain Beechey, whose health had B 2