There were strong squalls during the night, with rain, but the wind being off the land, the ship rode easy with a whole cable.  At daylight [FRIDAY 12 FEBRUARY 1802] the weather was more moderate, and we stretched out for the distant piece of land in the offing.  At noon it was seven miles to windward, and seen to be an island of about five miles in length; and being near enough at dusk to observe that it afforded shelter, and that there were no apparent dangers, we continued to beat up, and got to anchor at half-past nine, in 7 fathoms, fine sand; the nearest beach being distant half a mile, and the island extending from S. 85 deg.  E. to 67 deg.  W.

SATURDAY 13 FEBRUARY 1802

In the morning we were surprised to see breaking water about one mile from the ship, and as much from the shore.  It was not far from the place where the last tack had been made in the evening, and the master found no more than six feet water close to it; so that we were fortunate in having escaped.  The botanical gentlemen landed early; and I followed them to make the usual observations for the survey.

From my first station, at the north-east end of the island, the largest of the Top-gallant Isles bore S. 67 deg.  E., four or five miles.  It is of little extent, but high and cliffy; and there are three rocks on its south side resembling ships under sail, from which circumstance this small cluster obtained its present name.  To the south-west I distinguished several small islands, of which the northernmost and largest is remarkable from two high and sharp-pointed peaks upon it, lying in latitude 33 deg. 57’ and longitude 134 deg. 13’.  This cluster, as it appeared to be, received the name of Pearson’s Isles; but it is possible that what seemed at a distance to be divided into several may form two or three larger islands, or even be one connected land.  Another island, about one mile long and of moderate height, was discovered bearing S. 72 deg.  W., about four leagues.  It was surrounded with high breakers, as was a smaller isle near it; and the two were called Ward’s Isles.  These three small clusters, with Waldegrave’s Isles, and this larger island, which was named Flinders’, after the second lieutenant, form a group distinct from Nuyts’ Archipelago; and I gave it the name of the INVESTIGATOR’S GROUP.

The form of Flinders’ Island is nearly a square, of which each side is from three to five miles in length.  Bights are formed in the four sides; but that to the north seems alone to afford good anchorage.  In its composition this island is nearly the same as that of Waldegrave’s largest isle; but between the granitic basis and the calcareous top there is a stratum of sand stone, in some places twenty feet thick.  The vegetation differed from that of other islands before visited, in that the lower lands were covered with large bushes; and there was very little either of the white, velvety shrub (atriplex)