Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
But the frustrations of the Atlantic crossing were as nothing
compared with what befell the expedition in the straits. They
reached Cape Virgin Mary on 16 December and Wallis ordered
Carteret to go ahead and act as pilot. So, into the confusion of nar-
rows, shoals, contrary currents and changeable winds the young
captain steered his lumbering sloop. It was a ridiculous situation.
Given a more manoeuvrable craft Carteret could have accomplished
what was demanded of him, but the
Swallow
simply could not cope.
Tacking in limited space was almost beyond her. When the wind was
ahead she could only turn through it by being rowed and towed by
two of her boats. It took ten days for the
Swallow
to lead her compan-
ions to safe anchorage at Port Famine, 150 miles within the Straits.
After three weeks during which the
Dolphin
and
Swallow
took
on wood and water and stocked up with victuals from the
Prince Fre-
derick,
the storeship was sent off to Port Egmont. Carteret employed
part of the time contriving makeshift modifications to improve his
ship's performance. He widened the rudder in the hope of making
her more responsive to the helm. But as soon as they left harbour
on 18 January and sailed out into the teeth of the westerlies Carter-
et discovered that his ship was just as unmanageable as before. It
was obvious that if Wallis persisted in using
Swallow
as his guide
through the twisting, rock-strewn waterway he ran the risk of reach-
ing the Pacific when the best of the summer weather had passed.
There had to be a change of plan. Over the next few days, Carter-
et assailed his commander with written suggestions. Wallis rejected
them, one after another. The letters between the two men just man-
aged to remain within the bounds of civility:
Dangerous passages lay ahead and the Swallow was unreliable.
Would Wallis abandon the present scheme in favour of a more prudent
one?
