348 TRIAL ROCKS. 



twenty to thirty pounds per ton ; and potatoes 

 at the enormous price of twenty-five pounds per 

 ton. It was expected, however, that in the course 

 of another year the colony would be able to raise 

 produce sufficient for its consumption. No ves- 

 sels had been lost at Swan River since the first 

 year, and with common precautions it was con- 

 sidered there was no risk. 



At two p. M. we proceeded on our voyage to 

 Batavia. On the 13th of May we had the south- 

 east trade, in lat. 2P 15' south. Ion. 138° 13', east. 

 On the 4th of May we crossed from 108° 13' to 

 106° 58' east longitude, (in a run of eight days 

 from Swan River,) being the track recommended 

 by Horsburg, to look for the " Trial Rocks," 

 but did not see them.* On the 5th, several 



* The Trial Rocks are thus mentioned in the " Lives and 

 Voyages of Drake, Cavendish, and Dampier," published in 

 the Edinburgh Cabinet Library, page 448. 



"Dampier intended once more to attempt New Holland in 

 about 20°. Here he found soundings at forty fathoms, but 

 did not see the land ; and steered westward, to search for the 

 Trial Rocks, (so named from an English ship called the 

 Trial having been wrecked upon them many years before,) 

 which were supposed to lie in this parallel, and about eighty 

 leagues westward of the coast. But Captain Dampier was 

 sick, and unable to maintain perpetual watch himself, and the 

 officers inefficient and careless, so that this important point 

 was not ascertained." 



