Augutt. a^0ut 2 Ieagues. The fhores o f the main from this point feemed
free from rocks, and poiTeffed fome fmall fandy bays to the fouth point
of entrance into Smith’s inlet, which bore by compafs n . 18 w . about a
league diftant; where detached rocks were again feen to encumber the
fhore.
The weather, lefs unfavorable to our purfuits than for fome time pad,
permitted our having a tolerably diftindt view of the . furrounding country.
The opening before us, Fitzhugh’s found, appeared to be exten-
five in a northerly direction. A t noon we found our obferved latitude to
be 51», 2i', longitude 2320 4 . In this fituation, the fouth point o f
Calverts illand bore by compafs n . 2g w . its wefternmoft part in fight
N. 60 w . two- clufters of rocks s. 73 w , and n . 70 w. thefe: were dilcot
vered by Mr. Hanna, who named the former “ V ir g in ,” the latter
- Pe a r l R o o k s , both which being low, and a t . fome di f! a nee from
the -fhore, are dangeroufly fituated. The fouth point o f Smith’s inlet
terminating, the continental fhore in a north-weftwardly diredtion, bore
by compafs s. 40 E. from which the Virgin rocks, about thirteen miles
diftant, lie N, 75 w.. and the Pearl rocks N„ 38 w . diftant about eight
miles. -
With intention of continuing the inveftigation of the continental fhore
up Smith’s inlet, the Chatham was diredted that- w a y ; but as we advanced,
the great number of rocky iflets and rocks, as well beneath as
above the furface o f the fea, and the irregularity of the foundings/ induced
me to abandon this defign, and- to fleer along the eaftern fide of
Calvert’s illand, forming a fteep and bold fhore, in queft of “ Port
Safety,” laid down in Mr. Duncan’s chart, or of any other convenient
anchorage we might find; and from thence to difpatch two parties in
the boats, one to profecute the examination o f the broken fhores-to the
fouth-eaftward of us, the other to explore the main branch of Fitzhugh’s
found leading to the northward.. In confequence of this determination,
the neceflary fignal was made to the Chatham for quitting
her purfuit; and we made all fail to-.the northward.
On palling that which we had confidered as the fouth point of Calvert’s
ifland, it proved to be two fmall iflets lying near it; and from the
. fouthernfouthernmoft
o f them, the Virgin and Pearl rocks in a line lie s. 68 w . j||H |
■ the former eleven, and the latter four miles diftant. ’— v— '
.' As we proceeded up this found, the eaftern fhore ftill continued to be
much divided by water; towards the fea it was of moderate height,
though the interior country was confiderably elevated; the whole was
■ apparently one intire foreft of pine trees produced from the chafms in
the rugged rocks of which the country is formed. The weftern, or
fhore of Calvert’s iflands is firm, and rofe abruptly from the fea to a very
•great height, feemingly compofed of the fame rocky materials, and like
the eaftern fhore, intirely covered with pine trees. About four in the
afternoon a fmall cove was difcOvered on the weftern fhore, bearing fome Saturday u .
refemblance to Mr. Duncan’s port Safety, but differing in its latitude according
to our run fince noon. Appearing however likely to anfwer all our
purpofes, we hauled in for i t ; the fhores we found to be bold, fteep on either
fide, and foundings at the entrance were from 23 to 30 fathoms, foft
bottom. We anchored about fix in the evening in 17 fathoms on the
fouth fide of the cove,- as' did the Chatham on the oppofite fhore, Readying
the veflels with hawfers to the trees. My firft objedl after the fhip was
-fecured, was to examine the Cove. It terminated in a fmall beach, near
which was a ftream of excellent water and an abundance of wood: of
thefe necefTaries we now required a confiderable fupply; and as the field
o f employment for our boats would be extenfive, there was little doubt
o f Our remaining here a fufficient time to replenifh thefe ftorés. Being
tolerably well fheltered in this cove, I was willing to hope the Chatham
might with fecurity, and without much difficulty, be laid on fhore to
examine if fhe had fuftained any damage whilft ftriking on the rocks.
After giving directions for the execution o f thefe fervices, I ordered 1 jj
the yawl, launch, and two cutters belonging to the Difcovery, and thé
Chatham’s cutter to be equipped, fupplied with a week’s provifions, and
to be in readinefs to depart early the next morning. The boats' being
prepared and fupplied, agreeably to my wifhes, we departed-about five
o’clock; and having proceeded together nearly into the middle1 of the
found, I diredted Lieutenant Puget and Mr. Whidbey; in the Difcovery!s
launch and large cutter, to examine the coaft we had left unexplored
3 B 2 to
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