April 1, 1866

Apr. 1: "I guess we are sure of a five months' voyage in the least, here we are at sixty three days out and we are within ten degrees of Cape StiffCape Stiff

Sailors' nickname for Cape Horn.."

Apr. 2: "At four Oclock this morning we made the BarkBark

A sailing vessel with three masts; square-rigged on the fore and main masts and fore-and-aft rigged on the mizzen. ahead and at twelve Oclock we passed her....The Bark is now out of sight astern but I expect that the next time we see her she will be ahead. The mate says that if this wind holds twenty four hours longer we will be in the Straits of Le MaireStraits of Le Maire Strait of Le Maire

The sea passage between Staten Island and the eastern area of the Argentine portion of Tierra del Fuego. but I don't think it will."

Apr. 3: "It is getting very cold in the night time and one needs all the clothes he can get on to keep warm."

Apr. 4: "Saw several Cape Pigeons they being the first that I have seen. Tonight we are about the same a becalmed and no Cape HornCape Horn

The southern tip of South America, the main obstacle to sailing west to the Pacific. The wind blows hard from the west, and vessels could take weeks to get around the Cape, into the Pacific Ocean. yet."

Apr. 6: "About half-past nine Cape San DiegoCape San Diego

The easternmost point on Tierra del Fuego. and Staten IslandStaten Island

Isla de los Estados Island separated from Tierra del Fuego by the Straits of Le Maire. hove in sight. At noon we entered the Strait of Le Maire. San Diego on the coast of Tierra del FuegoTierra del Fuego

A large island grouping at the southern tip of South America. It is separated from the mainland by the Straits of Magellan. The southernmost point in Tierra del Fuego is Cape Horn. Tierra del Fuego means "land of fire." is very high in some places rearing to mountains, the tops of which are covered with snow, the sides look as though they are solid rock and covered with moss and in some places with trees; there are two or three bays which offerd good harbors. The Strait is about twenty miles long and about the same wdth. We passed within two mile of shore. There are a plenty of geese and ducks flying around. Staten Island has about the same appearance only not quite so high or rocky. About the time you leave the Strait New Island New Island

One of the Falkland Islands. New Island was one of the earliest of the Falklands to be colonized by American whalers, in the 1770s. heaves in sight....The Capt. thinks we will sight Cape Horn by morning; I hope so."

Apr. 7: "The Capt. talks some of going into bay of good SuccessBay of Good Success bay of good Success

A small bay in the Islands of Tierra del Fuego, across the Straits of Le Maire from Staten Island. The Bay was visited by Captain Cook in 1769. and anchor if this wind hold much longer as you can get a plenty of wood and water."