50 SWAN RIVER SETTLEMENT. 



on the north-east end of the island, we passed 

 over a rocky patch, with, from appearance, not 

 more than three fathoms on it, it is small, and we 

 had 14 fathoms close to it. This patch is about one 

 mile N. by W. from the north-west point of the 

 bay. Off this point is a low rocky islet ; and when 

 on the shoal, we could just make out the white 

 sandy beach in the bay open between it and the 

 point. The western points of the island are all 

 shut in by the north point ; therefore, keeping them 

 open, will always enable the navigator to give this 

 dangerous rock* a wide berth. 



The Swan River Settlement, which is a portion 

 of the colony of Western Australia, was founded 

 in August 1829, under the auspices of the Colonial 

 Office, Captain Stirling being the first Lieutenant- 

 Governor. Freeman tie, at the entrance of Swan 

 River, is the sea port ; and Perth, situate about 

 nine miles inland, the seat of Government : Guilford 

 and York are the other chief places in the colony. 



There is nothing very particularly inviting in the 

 first appearance of Western Australia ; dull green- 

 looking downs, backed by a slightly undulating 

 range of hills, rising to nearly 2,000 feet high, are 

 the chief natural features of the prospect. Free- 

 mantle, of which it was wittily said by the quarter- 

 master of one of His Majesty's ships who visited 

 the place, "You might run it through an hourglass 



* Now called Roe's Patch. 



