Page:A Voyage of Discovery and Research in the Southern and Antarctic Regions Vol 2.djvu/73

] appearance of a wild unprotected rocky shore, but the soundings were such as to leave no doubt upon our minds that he might have anchored under the lee of the island in perfect safety.

Having weathered the small north-eastern islet, and finding the soundings regularly diminish from sixty-five fathoms, on fine gray sand and broken shells, at 6, to thirty-five fathoms at 9 , we stood towards the main land until that time, when we tacked off to the eastward during the darkness of night; the only land in sight being the high bold Cape Maria Yan Diemen, of romantic association.

It was so designated by Tasman nearly two hundred years ago, after a young lady of that name, to whom he was attached, and whom he afterwards married; she was the daughter, or near relation, of Anthony Van Diemen, the governor of the Dutch possessions in India, a great friend of Tasman, and by whom the expedition he commanded was sent forth, having been fitted out under his immediate superintendence at Batavia.

This great navigator was, therefore, the discoverer of the North Island of New Zealand as well as of Van Diemen's Land. The recent alteration of the name of the latter place to that of Tasmania, whilst it has paid only a just tribute to his memory, will serve at the same time to perpetuate a name which occupies so honourable and proud a position in the history of nautical discovery.

The wind continuing moderate, and shifting to the northward, we tacked at 1.40, and