Twenty minutes before midnight exercised at general quarters; fired the first gun in two minutes and forty-five seconds from the beating of the drum. [Sidenote: Mar. 12.] After evening quarters exercised shifting topsails. Fresh northerly breezes carried us across the equator, giving us fair prospects of a good passage to Valparaiso. [Sidenote: Mar. 24.] Midnight.--Beat to quarters; first gun fired in three minutes and a half. [Sidenote: Mar. 28.] After evening quarters shifted topsail-yards. [Sidenote: April 1.] Commenced the new scale of provisions according to Admiralty circular, a step towards improving the condition and discipline of the seamen. [Sidenote: April 8.] Observed a stranger we had seen two days previously was still gaining. Tacked to try rate of sailing. Trimmed ship; re-set sails and communicated by signal with her, the _Balmoral_ of Aberdeen, from San Francisco, bound to Valparaiso. Passed to leeward, tacked in her wake and left her in an extraordinary manner, proving how much might be gained in a long voyage by trimming, and a little attention to the set of sails. By sunset she was hull down. [Sidenote: April 21.] Noon.--Came to in Valparaiso Bay. Found here the United States frigate _Raritan_, and Russian corvette _Oambylea_. Rear-Admiral Fairfax-Morseby relieves Rear-Admiral Phipps Hornby, who had sailed on a cruise. [Sidenote: April 22.] Sent boats to tow the Russian corvette to sea. Taking in water and provisions preparatory to sailing for England. [Sidenote: May 3.] 4 A.M.--Weighed and made sail. Dark morning, lee shore. Vessels at anchor; both sides in thirty-six fathoms, a long heave up and down. Got the first of a northerly wind. Got up stump topgallant masts. Carried our breeze as far as 43° south. [Sidenote: May 8.] Exchanged numbers with the _Amphitrite_, 24, Captain Charles Frederick from England. Frederick strongly advised us not to attempt Straits of Magellan. Uneasy motion of the ship made havoc among our live stock; obliged to throw several bullocks overboard. [Sidenote: May 10.] After a calm got a light northerly wind. Shaped a course for Cape Pillar, intending to run through the Straits. As the breeze freshened the weather came on thick and dirty. [Sidenote: Straits of Magellan, May 13.] Running for the land; fresh breeze, hazy weather. 10.40 A.M.--Observed rocks N.N.E. 11.10.--Another break in the mist showed us land ahead. Reefed topsails. 1 P.M.--Passed Cape Pillar. 2.30.--Came to in Mercy Harbour. [Sidenote: May 14.] 2.15 P.M.--Entered Long Reach. Passed Half Port Bay. 4.50.--Came to in seven and a half fathoms, Playa Parda Harbour. [Sidenote: May 15.] Weighed and made sail. 2 P.M.--Came to in Fortescue Bay. Found an American brig, and an English barque _Caspar_ and brig _Isabella Thompson_ dismasted in Port Gallant. A snug and beautiful harbour. Supplied the brig with one jib-boom for a main-mast, and the barque with our stream chain. [Sidenote: May 16.]