“Neptune’s Islands are low, three in number, and having numerous rocks and reefs amongst them; ought not to be approached too closely, there being generally a strong swell from the south-west, the sea breaks over them with great violence.

“Liguanea Island is of moderate elevation, and may be passed on the south side at a distance of two miles.

“Perforated Island, as its name imports, may be known by its having a hole through it near the north end and close to the top of the island, it may be passed close on any side.  Four hummocks may easily be known from their appearance answering to their name.

“Greenly Island, this is a peaked island, rather high, and may be seen ten leagues off.  There is another island laying south and by west, seven miles, not laid down in Flinders’, and two other reefs between them, rendering the passage unsafe.

“Proceeding along shore to the northward you will fall in with Flinders’ Island.  This is a large island, covered with wood, with plenty of fresh water, possessing a secure anchorage on the northern side, and is admirably adapted for a whaling station.  In going on from the southward, keep outside the top Gallant {GALL’S in published text} Island, and steer directly for the north-east point, rounding which, you will open the anchorage, and as there is no danger, but may be seen, you may choose a berth according to circumstances.

“Waldegrave’s Island, close to the main land, has good anchorage on the northern side, secure from south-east and south-west winds.

“The shore, from Waldegrave’s Island to Point Weyland is low and sandy.  There is a large body of water running in a direction parallel to the coast, all the way from Point Weyland to the northward of Cape Radstock, having an entrance at both points.  It appears as if the action of the sea from the south-west, had broken through the coast range and filled up the valley immediately behind.  Indeed the whole coast from Kangaroo Island to as far to the north-west as has been visited by the author, bears evident marks of the encroachments of the sea.  In some places marked down as small islands in Flinders’, there are now only reefs, other places which were formerly points of land, are transformed to islands.”

In the year 1840, I was instructed by the then Governor of South Australia, to send an officer of the survey in a small vessel, with a supply of provisions for Mr. Eyre, who was at that time supposed to have reached Fowler’s Bay, during the first of his expeditions; I accordingly selected Mr. John Cannan, in whose zeal and ability I had every confidence.  This officer left Port Adelaide the 9th September, 1840, with instructions from me, in addition to the immediate object he had in view, to survey such parts of the coast along which he was about to sail, as had only been partially examined by Captain Flinders.  Unfortunately it was during the winter time, and the task I had assigned him would,