We made slight progress towards Port George the Fourth, during the forenoon; the water deepening to 20 and 30 fathoms, soon after we had weighed.  We espied a ridge extending to the South-east from Beagle Bank, which supplies another fact in support of the opinion I have before advanced, and which gives a north-westerly trend to these ledges.  The wind failing, and the ebb-tide drifting us again to the westward, in sight of Beagle Bank, the anchor was dropped 4 1/2 miles East by North of it, and in a depth of 12 fathoms, to which we had suddenly shoaled from 29, this position marked the limit of shoal soundings in an East by North direction from Beagle Bank.  Between sunset and midnight we were able to make 17 miles, in an East by North direction, when a contrary tide, and an accompanying calm, compelled us to anchor in 31 fathoms:  the soundings during the run had varied from 35 to 39 fathoms:  the bottom, latterly a soft mud, of a dirty grey colour.  A twilight star placed our position 17 miles west of Red Island, which corresponded with the bearings at daylight.

April 7.

The wind being still very light, we were compelled to wait for the flood-tide, which did not favour us till a quarter past six in the morning.  The last direction of the ebb stream was north.  It was nearly dark before we reached our anchorage, in 18 fathoms, one mile from Point Adieu:  on our way material was secured for laying down the sea-face of the Champagny Islands.  Red Island brought to our recollection Captain Heywood, by whom this part of the Australian continent had been seen, and of whose earlier career a notice will be found in Sir John Barrow’s interesting narrative of the Mutiny of the Bounty.

TRAFALGAR AND WATERLOO.

The soundings during the entire day, ranged from 27 to 30 fathoms, and the character of the bottom was similar to that last described.  Our observations for latitude did not verify our position by the chart, though all its bearings and distances appeared relatively correct.  The discrepancy may perhaps be ascribed to the effect of refraction, as we were prevented by the land from observing on both horizons.  The most remarkable objects in this neighbourhood, were two hills, named by Captain King, Mount Trafalgar, and Mount Waterloo, to record in one hemisphere, two memorable events, not likely to be easily forgotten in the other:  although assuredly the time will come when the peaceful triumphs of science and civilization, of which these names are here enduring witnesses, will be far more highly valued, and far more truly honoured!  Mount Trafalgar made its first appearance in the form of a huge quoin or wedge, resting longitudinally upon the horizon, with its point towards the south-east.

Among other memoranda for the improvement of the chart of this coast, it should be noted that the reef extending to the North-West from Jackson’s peaked Island, appears to join the small islands lying near it in that direction, and to which, from their colour, we gave the name of The Brown Islands.