Page:A Voyage to Terra Australis Volume 1.djvu/363

Cape Catastrophe.]

in every part, having to all appearance been dashed against the rocks. One of the oars was afterwards found, but nothing could be seen of our unfortunate shipmates. The boat was again sent away in search; and a midshipman was stationed upon a head land, without-side of the cove, to observe every thing which might drift past with the tide. Mr. Brown and a party landed to walk along the shore to the northward, whilst I proceeded to the southern extremity of the main land, which was now named. On landing at the head of the cove, I found several footmarks of our people, made on the preceding afternoon when looking for water; and in my way up the valley I prosecuted the same research, but ineffectually, although there were many huts and other signs that natives had resided there lately.

From the heights near the extremity of Cape Catastrophe, I examined with a glass the islands lying off, and all the neighbouring shores for any appearance of our people, but in vain; I therefore took a set of angles for the survey, and returned on board; and on comparing notes with the different parties, it appeared that no further information had been obtained of our unfortunate companions.

Next morning I went in a boat ten miles along the shore to the northward, in the double view of continuing the search, and carrying on the survey. All the little sinuosities of the coast were followed, and in one place I picked up a small keg, which had belonged to Mr. Thistle, and also some broken pieces of the boat; but these were all that could be discovered. After taking angles at three stations on the main land, I crossed over to the northernmost and largest of the six small islands lying within Thorny Passage. It is a mile and a half long, with a small islet off the north, and another off its south end. These I called Taylor's Isles, in memory of the young gentleman who was in the cutter with Mr. Thistle. They lie near two miles from the main, and the depth between is from 7 to 10 fathoms, on a sandy bottom. A ship might