In the forenoon we struck soundings at eighty-three fathoms depth; our latitude 40 degrees 8 minutes south and longitude 55 degrees 40 minutes west.  This I conclude to have been near the edge of the bank for, the wind being at south-south-west, we stood towards the south-east; and after running fourteen miles in that direction we could find no bottom with one hundred and sixty fathoms of line.  In the night we stood towards the west-south-west with a southerly wind and got again into soundings.  The next day we saw a great number of whales of an immense size that had two spout-holes on the back of the head.  Upon a complaint made to me by the master I found it necessary to punish Matthew Quintal, one of the seamen, with two dozen lashes for insolence and mutinous behaviour.  Before this I had not had occasion to punish any person on board.

Wednesday 12.

On the 12th we caught a porpoise by striking it with the grains.  Everyone eat heartily of it; and it was so well liked that no part was wasted.

Friday 14.

On the 14th in the afternoon we saw a land-bird like a lark, and passed part of a dead whale that had been left by some whalers after they had taken the blubber off.  Saw likewise two strange sail.  The next day at noon our latitude was 43 degrees 6 minutes south and longitude 58 degrees 42 minutes west.  Had soundings at seventy-five fathoms; the bottom a fine greenish sand.  Saw two hawks.

Sunday 16.

On the 16th another ship was seen to the west-north-west standing to the northward.  Latitude at noon 43 degrees 34 minutes south.  We continued running to the southward keeping in soundings.

Wednesday 19.

On the 19th at noon by my account we were within twenty leagues of Port Desire; but the wind blowing fresh from the north-west with thick foggy weather I did not attempt to make the land.  We passed a good deal of rock-weed and saw many whales, and albatrosses and other seabirds.

Thursday 20.

On the 20th at noon our latitude was 50 degrees 24 minutes south and longitude 65 degrees 50 minutes west.  In the afternoon the wind, which had for some time past been northerly, suddenly shifted to the west-south-west and blew hard.

Sunday 23.

We steered to the south-south-east and on the 23rd at two o’clock in the morning we discovered the coast of Tierra del Fuego bearing south-east.  At nine in the forenoon we were off Cape St. Diego, the eastern part of Tierra del Fuego.  Observed the variation here to be 21 degrees 23 east.  The wind being unfavourable I thought it more advisable to go round to the eastward of Staten Land than to attempt passing through Straits le Maire.  The two opposite coasts of the Straits exhibited very different appearances.  The land of Tierra del Fuego hereabouts, though the interior parts are mountainous, yet near the coast is of a moderate height and, at the distance we were from it, had not an unpromising appearance.  The coast of Staten Land near the Straits is mountainous and craggy, and remarkable for its high peaked hills.  Straits le Maire is a fair opening which cannot well be mistaken; but if any doubt could remain, the different appearances of the opposite shores would sufficiently make the Straits known.