BLACK PYRAMID.

Between them and the Black Pyramid we had 35 and 32 fathoms.

We passed the night standing to and fro close to the Pyramid, which I have before described as a dark rocky lump 240 feet high.  Its western side is a sombre storm-beaten cliff, whilst to the east it slopes away almost to the water’s edge.  A few patches of coarse grass may be seen on some sheltered spots.  Sealers, I am informed, have landed upon it on certain rare occasions of fine weather, and have been repaid for their daring by capturing a few fur-seals from the rookery that there exists.  The Black Pyramid from some points of view, greatly resembles Curtis Island, near the eastern entrance of the Strait.  A mile and a half from its eastern side, there was only 24 fathoms, which was the least water we were in during the night.

January 27.

We found ourselves at daylight in 35 fathoms, two miles South-West from the Pyramid, when we stood away East-South-East, to sound and have a seaward view of the entrance between Hunter Island and Point Woolnorth.  This examination confirmed our former opinion that no ship-channel existed there.  But even if there had been one, the passage is so strewed with rocks and disturbed by such heavy tide ripples, that it wears a most dangerous appearance from the offing.

Rounding the south side of the south Black Rock, we went between it and Steep Island in 19 fathoms.  From thence we steered between the north Black Rock and the west point of Hunter Island in 24 fathoms, having 15 fathoms midway between.

ALBATROSS ISLAND.

Continuing our northern course, we passed a mile from the west side of Albatross Island, in 30 and 33 fathoms.  It is a dark cliffy isle, the summit of which although 125 feet high, appears to be sometimes washed by the sea.  There are one or two finger-shaped points of rock at the south end; and a singular split in the entire island may be seen on the bearing of North 75 degrees East.  The wind had now increased to a gale from the westward, and we were obliged to seek shelter under Hunter Island.

January 28.

In the morning the breeze was moderate from North-East, to which quarter it had changed suddenly during the night, veering round from west by the north.  By noon it had shifted to East-North-East and had increased to a gale.  At 8 P.M. it blew a strong gale with gusts from that quarter.  The barometer had now just begun to fall, and was at 29.9.  During the day it had been steady at 30.02.  This gale lasted, blowing with the same violence (latterly from East) until 1 P.M. the next day, when after a calm of about a quarter of an hour the wind changed suddenly to North with rain, thunder, and vivid lightning, and by 4 P.M. had veered to west and increased once more to a strong gale with heavy squalls.  The barometer at the same time began to rise; it had been stationary at 29.6 since the morning.