256 CHIMMO ON THE [J ah. 12, 1857. 



crammed with 150 tons of coal, or 70 more than Bhe had ever carried 

 before; for which reason the Inner Eonte to Torres Strait was 

 chosen, where, at all events, smooth water was certain. 



On July 17th I went as close as prudent to the coast about Albany- 

 Island and Cape York, to view a spot on which I hoped soon to see an 

 English flag. It was impossible to pass it without feeling how well 

 adapted the island seemed for a preparatory penal establishment, or 

 until our knowledge of the effect of the climate on European consti- 

 tutions, was more truly and generally known in the depths of the 

 Gulfs of Carpentaria and Cambridge. 



Albany Island. — We first passed a bold and regular land of about 

 400 feet in elevation, nearly three miles long by one broad, lying in 

 a N.W. and S.E. direction, having smooth grassy slopes with valleys 

 of trees, terminating on the S.W. side in rocky cliffs and bold head- 

 lands, having on its N.E. side a pretty group of small islets. Here 

 we saw but one canoe, with seven men in it. 



Should an establishment ever be decided on, and which has been 

 some time in contemplation, on account of the increased traffic 

 through Torres Strait, for coal depots for steam communication, as 

 well as a refuge for the shipwrecked mariner, which latter has 

 become so necessary, I have not seen any spot better adapted than 

 this, particularly in a geographical point of view, a commanding 

 position, and exposed to a healthy brisk S.E. trade for half the year. 

 How the N.W. monsoon affects it, I know not. Many would be the 

 benefits arising from an establishment at Cape York or Albany 

 Island, particularly as Port Essington, from its unhealthy site, has 

 been abandoned. 



It would benefit the natives, who may bo made tractable, as at 

 Port Curtis, Wide Bay, &c., a home or refuge for the shipwrecked 

 sailor could be established. At present he proceeds to Booby Island, 

 where, if his patience be exhausted, he makes a desperate efibrt to 

 reach Copang. Stores of various sorts for shipping would find 

 many a purchaser, as scarcely a vessel comes through the Barrier 

 without loss of anchors or spars. 



Cape York is not so attractive as Albany Island, and is objection- 

 able from being partly surrounded by shoal-water bays. It is 

 particularly barren in appearance. Fresh water is abundant in 

 Evans Bay, two miles from Albany Island. 



On arriving at Booby Island on the 18th of July, and searching 

 all the documents in the Post Office there, it was ascertained that 

 Gregory and his party had not passed that way on their return to 

 Sydney. After rating the chronometers and leaving notices for any 

 of his party who might call there, the ' Torch ' sailed for the bottom 



