SUNDAY 4 APRIL 1802

On the 4th I was accompanied by the naturalist in a boat expedition to the head of the large eastern cove of Nepean Bay; intending if possible to ascend a sandy eminence behind it, from which alone there was any hope of obtaining a view into the interior of the island, all the other hills being thickly covered with wood.  On approaching the south-west corner of the cove, a small opening was found leading into a considerable piece of water; and by one of its branches we reached within little more than a mile of the desired sandy eminence.  After I had observed the latitude 35 deg. 50’ 2” from an artificial horizon, we got through the wood without much difficulty, and at one o’clock reached the top of the eminence, to which was given the name of Prospect Hill.  Instead of a view into the interior of the island, I was surprised to find the sea at not more than one and half or two miles to the southward.  Two points of the coast towards the east end of the island bore S. 77 deg.  E., and the furthest part on the other side, a low point with breakers round it, bore S. 33 deg.  W., at the supposed distance of four or five leagues.  Between these extremes a large bight in the south coast was formed; but it is entirely exposed to southern winds, and the shores are mostly cliffy.  Mount Lofty, on the east side of the Gulph of St. Vincent, was visible from Prospect Hill at the distance of sixty-nine miles, and bore N. 40 deg. 40’ E.

The entrance of the piece of water at the head of Nepean Bay is less than half a mile in width, and mostly shallow; but there is a channel sufficiently deep for all boats near the western shore.  After turning two low islets near the east point the water opens out, becomes deeper, and divides into two branches, each of two or three miles long.  Boats can go to the head of the southern branch only at high water; the east branch appeared to be accessible at all times, but as a lead and line were neglected to be put into the boat, I had no opportunity of sounding.  There are four small islands in the eastern branch; one of them is moderately high and woody, the others are grassy and lower; and upon two of these we found many young pelicans, unable to fly.  Flocks of the old birds were sitting upon the beaches of the lagoon, and it appeared that the islands were their breeding-places; not only so, but from the number of skeletons and bones there scattered, it should seem that they had for ages been selected for the closing scene of their existence.  Certainly none more likely to be free from disturbance of every kind could have been chosen than these islets in a hidden lagoon of an uninhabited island, situate upon an unknown coast near the antipodes of Europe; nor can anything be more consonant to the feelings, if pelicans have any, than quietly to resign their breath whilst surrounded by their progeny, and in the same spot where they first drew it.  Alas for the pelicans!  Their golden age is past; but it has much exceeded in duration that of man.