Page:A Voyage of Discovery and Research in the Southern and Antarctic Regions Vol 1.djvu/187

] demesne, near the site of the proposed new Government-house, and commands a delightful view of the beautiful river Derwent and surrounding country. Its chief advantage, however, as a magnetic station, arises from its being placed over a thick bed of sandstone, which having been quarried to the depth of thirty or forty feet prevents all doubt as to the geological character of the substratum, a circumstance of first importance in all magnetic operations, and more especially so in a country where are to be found such manifest indications of its igneous origin.

The ships were warped further up the river, and securely moored in a small cove off the government grounds, in a situation convenient for ready communication with the Observatory, and out of the bustle and confusion of the general commerce of the colony. I strongly recommended this anchorage for the use of vessels of war visiting Hobart-town, as being in every respect the most desirable; and I am glad to find it has been very generally resorted to by those of her Majesty's ships that have touched there lately. During the stay of our vessels at this place it was called, in almost ironical compliment to them, Yacht Bay, but I perceive, in the more recent plans that have been published, it bears the name of Ross Cove.

The examination and refitting of the rigging and the necessary caulking, repairing, and painting the ships, were proceeded with under the most