The tide (apparently the ebb) had set so strong to the south-westward, that notwithstanding our efforts to keep up with the island, it was distant five miles when Mr. Bass returned and the boat was hoisted in.  A black lump of rock was then seen three or four leagues to the south-westward, and the following bearings were taken just before making sail.

Albatross Island, N. 75 deg. to 86 deg.  E.
Steep-head Island, S. 31 E.
Black. pyramidal rock, S. 59 W.

We kept close to the wind at north-east, in order to fetch Steep-head Island; but were carried so far to leeward by the tide, that soon after four o’clock our situation was as follows: 

Albatross Island, N. 18 deg.  E.
Sugar-loaf hummock, N. 71 E.
Western part of the barren land, N. 61 E.
Steep-head Island, centre, S. 71 E.
Black, pyramidal rock, N. 77 W.
High black rock, dist. 2 miles,
having breakers to the south-westward, S. 18 E.

Besides these islands and rocks, we passed another cliffy island four or five miles to the south of Steep-head, and to which I gave the name of Trefoil Island, its form appearing to be nearly that of a clover leaf; there were, also, several others of less importance, mostly lying near the barren land.  The steep south end of this land was set over the north end of Trefoil at N. 65 deg.  E.; and being almost assured of its separation from Van Diemen’s Land, I added it, under the name of Barren Island, to the rest of this cluster; and in honour of His Excellency, the governor of New South Wales, I gave to the whole the title of HUNTER’S ISLES.

(Atlas Pl.  VII.)

The north-west cape of Van Diemen’s Land, or island, as it might now be termed, is a steep, black head, which, from its appearance, I call CAPE GRIM.  It lies nearly due south, four miles, from the centre of Trefoil, in latitude 40 deg. 44’; the longitude will be 144 deg. 43 deg. east, according to the position of Albatross Island made in the Investigator.  There are two rocks close to Cape Grim, of the same description with itself.  On the north side of the cape, the shore is a low, sandy beach, and trends north-eastward, three or four miles; but whether there be a sufficient depth for ships to pass between it and Barren Island, has not, I believe, been yet ascertained.  To the south of the cape, the black cliffs extend seven or eight miles, when the shore falls back, eastward, to a sandy bay, of which little could be perceived.

Our situation at dusk, was three miles from the cliffs, with Cape Grim bearing N. 18 deg.  E. The furthest land, beyond the sandy bay, bore S. 4 deg.  E. four or five leagues, and proved to be near the westernmost point of Van Diemen’s Land.  The wind being strong at E. N. E. and the night dark and tempestuous, we kept as much under the land as possible; but found ourselves in the morning, Dec. l0, to be driven far to the south-westward.  At eight o’clock, the wind having moderated, we made sail, S. E. 1/2 E; and at noon, were in the following situation.