Smith. — Exploration of Tasman Bay. 445 



was more precarious than the preceding * night, for if we had 

 drifted the wind would have carried us directly on to the reefs 

 of the pass, and there our end would not have been doubtful. 



28th January. — At last I saw arrive a day which announced 

 itself under happier auspices, and presaged to me a favourable 

 wind. So as not to neglect any precautions in my power, at 

 4.30 a.m. I went to the S.E. point of the pass, and climbed to 

 the top of the ridge overlooking it. It was not an easy thing 

 to do, on account of the steepness and the thickets of impene- 

 trable fern which covered the slopes for some distance ; but I 

 succeeded, and from a hillock my view plunged down on the 

 pass, demonstrating that it was practicable with extreme precau- 

 tion. Nevertheless, I did not dissimulate from myself that the 

 enterprise might have a fatal ending. In looking towards the 

 corvette I could not prevent myself fancying involuntarily that 

 that machine, so well organized, so imposing, and destined for 

 such a long career, would be for some instants, by the sole effect 

 of my will, exposed to be lost on the rocks situated at my feet. 

 Ten officers, an entire crew, inhabitants of that floating city 

 now become their veritable country, might in a few hours find 

 themselves reduced to seek their safety on a sterile and inhos- 

 pitable shore, to lead a miserable existence, and perhaps perish 

 without ever seeing again their relatives and friends. Such re- 

 flections for a moment shook my resolution ; but it strengthened 

 itself shortly, and I returned aboard decided to try my for- 

 tune. 



At 7 a.m. the stream-anchor was got up and dropped near the 

 ship, in 6 fathoms. A short time afterwards the breeze appeared 

 established and moderate in the W.S.W., the tide was also slack, 

 and I decided to get under way at once, so as to be master of 

 my movements. We had taken the short cable to the stern, 

 which presented the bows towards our route, and put us in posi- 

 tion to catch the wind in the sails when unfurled. This was 

 executed with great celerity. At the same instant the foresail, 

 jib, the mizzen and lower topsail were set, and for some minutes 

 we steered very well ; but at the moment when we entered the 

 pass the wind failed, and the current, coming against us with 

 impetuosity, caused us to swerve to port. In vain I instantly 

 put the helm up, and furled all after-sail, to try and approach the 

 coast to the right — to touch it, as one might say, if it were neces- 

 sary. The corvette would not obey at all, and, mastered by the 

 current, she could not avoid being carried on to the rocks at the 

 end of the reef, on which I knew there was but 10 ft. or 12 ft. 

 of water [pi. xl]. Shortly after the " Astrolabe " touched twice. 

 The first shock was slight ; but the second time a lugubrious 

 cracking, accompanied by a prolonged shaking, by a sensible 



