CAPE PORTLAND. 447 



and verifying a few of the principal points of 

 Messrs. Forsyth and Pasco's survey, constant strong- 

 westerly gales prevailed ; and from all the local 

 information obtained it appeared that such was 

 generally the case. 



Whilst at this anchorage two boats belonging to 

 the whaling station on Wilson's Promontory passed 

 on their way to Hobarton, which they reached in 

 safety. They made the passage, hazardous for 

 boats, across the strait by touching at Hogan and 

 Kent Groups and so over to Flinders Island. 



Leaving, we beat through between Swan Islands 

 and the main, which we found to be a good channel,* 

 a mile and a half wide, with an average depth of 

 ten fathoms. After passing the western islet the 

 south side of the strait should be given a wide berth, 

 particularly on approaching Cape Portland, off 

 which some islets with foul ground and a sunken 

 rock at their extreme, extend two miles and a half. 

 The summit of Swan Island, bears S. 75" E. and 

 Mount Cameron S. 2° E. from the outer edge of this 

 danger ; which masters of vessels should remember, 

 both in reaching to the southward in the strait, and 

 in runnino- for it from the westward. 



Crossing Banks Strait we anchored under Preser- 



the west side of Flinders also leaves a space, close to the shore 

 near the centre, free from any stream. At the eastern entrance 

 of Franklin Channel there is also a meeting of the flood streams, 

 one coming from N.N.E. and the other from S.E. 



* Moun t William beari n g S. 4 0° E . leads into the western en trance. 



