NORFOLK ISLAND. 3 



which has an elevation of 2,834 feet, and rises abruptly 

 from the south end. Ball's Pj'ramid, a remarkable peak, is 

 1,810 feet in height, towering abruptly from a rocky islet 

 lying twelve miles from Lord Howe Island. On the 7th we 

 came across a dismasted barque, that had probably come to 

 grief in the squall of the preceding day. She appeared to 

 have as much sail as she could carry in her crippled state. 

 It is said such mishaps frequently occur in these seas. 



Proceeding slowly with very little wind, and aided by two 

 boilers, we on the 9th at daybreak sighted Norfolk Island, 

 and soon afterwards were able to discern the pine-trees that 

 flourish on Mount Pitt, its most elevated point, rising, it is 

 said, to the height of 1,000 feet, and also the well-known 

 windmill on its coast. We could at the same time observe 

 Nepean and Philip Islands near to Xorfolk Island, but 

 much smaller than it. 



Nepean Island, lying low and of a naked appearance, is 

 separated from Norfolk Island by a channel 900 yards in 

 width ; it is about 400 yards long from north to south, and 

 about as wide from east to west. There are only three 

 trees on this island, which are visible at a great distance. 



Philip Island, distant somewhat more than three miles 

 from Norfolk Island, is much larger and more elevated, 

 being more than 2,000 yards long and 900 wide. Certain 

 parts of the cliff of this island have a very decided reddish 

 tint, others are of a bright yellow, others again of a violet 

 colour. To judge by the appearance of the soil one would 

 be apt to suppose that it was of volcanic origin ; I was not, 



B 3 



