of Furneaux) is like Pedra Blanca near the coast of China:  the easternmost (Eddystone of Cook) resembles an awkward tower, and is about sixteen miles from the main land.  Continuing to coast along the shore, they came, at five in the evening, to a bay, into which it was resolved in council to enter; but when almost in it, a high wind rose, and obliged them to shorten sail and stand out to sea.  At daylight of the 30th, they found themselves driven so far off by the storm (whence the name of STORM BAY, applied in the chart), that the land was scarcely visible.  At noon, the general course had been E. by N. 80 miles; the latitude was found to be 43 deg. 41’, and longitude by estimation (corrected) 168 deg. 3’:  the needle pointed here, true North.  The land was in sight to the north-west, and the wind strong, but variable, from the northward.  The ships steered westward for a short time; but the weather being too stormy to admit of approaching the land, they went upon the other tack; and kept as much to the northward., under easy sail, as the wind would permit.

Dec. 1, the wind was more moderate; and on its veering to W. S. W., the ships steered towards the shore.  At noon, their course made good was N. N. W. 39 miles; the latitude was 43 deg. 10’ and longitude 167 deg. 55’.  It then fell calm, and a council of officers from the two vessels was called, in which it was resolved, if wind and weather permitted, “to get a knowledge of the land, and some refreshments.”  An eastern breeze sprung up soon afterward; and they got to anchor, an hour after sunset, “in a good port, in 22 fathoms, whitish good-holding sand; wherefore we ought to cc praise GOD ALMIGHTY.”  This port is called FREDERIK HENDRIK’S BAY, in the chart.

Next morning early, two armed boats were sent to an inlet (the inner bay), situate four or five miles to the north-westward of the ships, in order to search for fresh water, wood, and refreshments.  They returned in the afternoon, and the officers gave the following account.

They rowed four or five miles round the point of the inlet, along a high and level shore.  Wild greens were plentiful; some resembled those at the Cape of Good Hope, “and may be used in place of wormwood;” others were long and saltish, and like sea parsley.  They found many dry gullies, and one watering place in which the water was good, but obtained with difficulty, and in very small quantities.  Some human voices were heard, and a sound like that of a trumpet, or little gong, which was not far off; but they could see no person.  Amongst the trees, two were remarked whose thickness was two, or two and a half fathoms, and the first branches from sixty to sixty-five feet above the ground.  The bark had been taken off with a flint stone, and steps were cut, full five feet one from the other; whence the natives were presumed to be very tall, or able to get up these trees by some artifice.  They supposed the steps to be made for the purpose of getting at the nests of birds; and that some of them had not been cut above four days before.  They observed traces on the ground, as if made by the claws of a tiger; and saw the excrements, as was thought, of quadrupeds.  Some well-looking gums, which dropped from the trees and somewhat resembled gum-lac, were brought on board.