iolence of the western gales, are less sensible in lat. 61 deg. or 62 deg. S.
than nearer the coasts of Terra del Fuego.

Though satisfied, both from our own experience and the relations of
other navigators, of the importance of the precept here insisted on,
of proceeding to lat. 61 deg. or 62 deg. S. before any endeavours are made to
stand to the westwards, yet I would also advise all ships hereafter
not to trust so far to this management as to neglect another most
essential maxim: Which is, to make this passage in the height of the
_antarctic summer_, or, in other words, in the months of December and
January, which correspond exactly to the months of June and July in
our northern or arctic hemisphere: and the more distant the time
of passing may be from this season, so much the more disastrous the
passage may reasonably be expected to prove. Indeed, if the mere
violence of the western winds be considered, the time of our passage,
which was about the antarctic autumnal equinox, was perhaps the most
favourable period of the whole year. But then it must be considered
that there are, independent of the winds, many other inconveniences to
be apprehended in the depth of winter, which are almost insuperable.
For, at that season, the severity of the cold, and the shortness of
the days, would render it impracticable to run so far to the southward
as is here recommended. The same reasons would also greatly augment
the danger and alarm of sailing, at that season, in the neighbourhood
of an unknown shore, dreadful in its appearance, even in the midst of
summer, and would render a winter navigation on this coast, beyond all
others, most dismaying and terrible. As I would, therefore, advise all
ships to make their passage, if possible, in December and January,
so I would warn them never to attempt doubling Cape Horn, from the
eastward, after the month of March, which is equivalent to our August.
As to the remaining consideration, in regard to the most proper place
for cruizers to refit at, on their first arrival in the South Seas,
there is scarcely any choice, the island of Juan Fernandez being the
only place that can be prudently recommended for that purpose. For,
although there are many ports on the western side of Patagonia,
between the Straits of Magellan, one of which I shall particularly
notice in the sequel, in which ships may ride in great safety, and may
also recruit their wood and water, and procure some few refreshments,