5th to 9th January 1834

Port Desire
During these days we surveyed the coast & at night either anchored or stood out to sea. There are many rocks & breakers lying some way from the land & a ship ought not to come near them. The table land of Port Desire, is continued to St Julian, but in many places interrupted by great vallies; & large patches have been entirely removed, so that the outline resembles fortifications. The Beagle anchored off the mouth of the harbour & the Captain went in to sound the bar. He landed me & I found some most interesting geological facts. At sunset we went on board, & the Captain took the ship into the harbor.