ABSTRACT
To our frustration the deadline I had set for the re-routing of our mail from the Chilean ports had passed. Since, as explained in the previous chapter, the ship s muster rolls and books had been closed the previous day, nothing would have delayed our departure on the morning of 16 October had the trade wind set in earlier, as it often does. However, this did not happen until after midday and so it became necessary to remain, as we had been since dawn, with one anchor up and down, and with the sails hoisted, furled and stopped with gaskets. This gave us the chance to spend time in enjoying the pleasant company of our many friends who visited both corvettes and, much to my satisfaction, bore witness to the sound and estimable conduct of the commissioned officers, which had won them general appreciation and friendship. The opportunity of this delay was also taken to make another comparison of our chronometers with number 105 of the Atrevida, whose recent rates had been the more regular. By this means it was determined that the rate of number II showed a daily loss of 10″28″ and that chronometer 71 was gaining 44″11″. The advantages of the smaller [pocket] chronometers over the [box] chronometers had never been so clear as at this last port of call. The humidity of La Magdalena observatory, the great care taken in transporting them, and the stillness of the vessels during the stay in port, had all had a considerable influence on the chronometers, while the rate of the [pocket] chronometers had never been as regular and uniform as in these not particularly unfavourable circumstances. 1
