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much information. This afternoon it blew a heavy gale, hut in
such a sheltered place we only felt a few williwaws. From Mr.
Murray’s account it appeared that this island and those adjoining
it to the eastward are a cluster lying together, but quite
separated from the mainland, or rather the main hody of islands,
by a channel opening northward into Breaker Bay, and to the
southward into Stokes Bay. They were called the Grafton
Islands.
“ lOth. We had a heavy gale throughout this day with much
rain. Bad weather, while at a good anchorage, I did not at that
time regret, as the materials for our charts accumulated fast,
and afforded no leisure time while we were detained on board.
“ 11th. A favourable day allowed us to examine and sound
the outer roads, and obtain a round of angles from the western
extreme of Ipswich Island, which completed my triangulation.
Landing there was dangerous, and ascending the hill extremely
difficult, on account of thick tangled brushwood which grows
about three or four feet high on every part of the east side, and
is so matted together as to be almost impenetrable. We generally
scrambled over this jungle, but sometimes crept under it.
“ 12th. A tolerably fine day. The sun was visible both in
the morning and afternoon ; and from different summits Mr.
Stokes and I took angles. The sky being clear near the horizon
gave us a wide range. Meanwhile the ship was prepared to sail
in search of a new place at which to employ our instruments.
I hoped that this basin, harbour, and roadstead, might be of
service, and therefore spared no pains about them. Eight latitudes
were obtained by sets of circum-meridional altitudes;
with four different sextants: two by Mr. Stokes, the rest by
me : and as they all agreed, within fifteen seconds, I supposed
their mean to be nearly correct. The sights for time were good,
and the chronometers were going so steadily that dependence
may be placed upon the accuracy of their results. To a vessel
bound round Cape Horn and meeting with an accident, or in
want of wood or water, this place might be useful. It is very
easy to find, and easy to enter or depart from, with the prevailing
westerly winds.
“ I3th. We weighed and left the harbour, but the morning-
proved too hazy to allow of our running down the coast, therefore
until eight o’clock we kept under easy sail in the roads.
Being clear and moderate after that time, we passed Leading
Island, and hove-to, to Watch for a breaker near it. It broke
but twice during the hour that we waited, therefore probably
there is water enough to allow any vessel to pass in safety. At
ten we bore up, and ran towards Isabella Island; my first
object being to look for a place called by sealers ‘ Hope Harbour,’
which, from what I could learn, ought to lie thereabouts.
Its situation was not recognised by our boatswain,(A)
who had been in it when sealing on this coast; so passing close
to Isabella Island, we hauled our wind under the lee of the land,
and came to an anchor in fifteen fathoms, sheltered from north
to S.W. b. S. A high peaked hill, over the cove where I took
observations, made this a suitable place for the business of the
survey. Mr. Murray went up the height, while Mr. Stokes
and I were employed near the water, till rain set in and drove
us on board. This is the easternmost of the Grafton Islands.
Beyond the channel, which separates them from the main body
of islands, appeared a succession of broken land, not very
high, but reaching apparently to a distant range of snowy
mountains. The part nearest to us was a labyrinth of islets and
rocks. Towards night the wind increased much, and drew to
the S.W. and S.W. b. S. I was doubtful of our anchorage, and
had the wind drawn one point more to the southward, we should
have had a heavy sea to deal with, and must have slipped our
cable.
“ 14th. Itmoderated again,and the sun showed himself enough
to enable us to get sights, and be on board in time to weigh at
nine. We had reason to think a sealing vessel had been along
tills coast not long before us, by the traces our boats found in
several places. Indians also had frequented these islands, for
their wigwams were found everywhere. Observations on shore
made our anchoring here of some consequence, although as a
(h ) Mr. Sorrell, formerly with Mr. Weildell, and since th a t time with
Mr. Brisbane B. F.
IM