1;V2 WHITE— A Sketch of the Life of Samuel White. 



lay at anchor, and we spent the day on shore, my father col- 

 lecting specimens and taking notes of sea birds in the vicinity 

 of the beach, all going on board again in the evening. Next 

 morning, under main and stay sails, we ran in shore within 

 half a mile. The crew then manned the two big boats, and 

 got off a quantity of wood and water, and while this was in 

 progress my father took my brother and sister and myself 

 in a small boat, which he called the "Duck Boat," along 

 the coastline for about five miles in search of Nautilus shells, 

 but we had no success. 



On Thursday, 13th, about noon sail was set for Antecham- 

 ber Bay, and we beat round with a light wind, coming to 

 anchor after dark in five fathoms of water, the schooner 

 rolling terrifically on a big swell. All were glad to get away 

 next morning, after rolling about most unpleasantly all night. 

 With only a light and variable wind we were some time 

 making out against a heavy swell. During the afternoon 

 we passed the Pages, where we spoke the "Orient" top-sail 

 schooner, bound for Port Adelaide. The 15th found our 

 little craft plunging into a big head sea, but during the day 

 the wind went round to the north, and the sea went down. 



Flying around us were great numbers of sea birds — 

 several species of petrels and albatross, and we hooked a 

 number of large baracoota. Early in the morning we were 

 off Cape Shank. The night set in cold, with driving showers, 

 which became heavier towards midnight, accompanied by 

 thunder and lightning, and we were under double reefed 

 main-sail all night. The little craft was like a duck, and kept 

 wonderfully dry considering the big seas that were running. 

 Just after dark we spoke the schooner "Lady St. Albans," 

 bound for Port Adelaide, and soon afterwards passed Tape 

 Northumberland. The next day (the 16th) we passed Portland 

 Bay. and we again took a great many baracoota. These vora- 

 cious fish are caught by fastening a piece of wood or coloured 

 rag just above the bare hook, and towing the line astern. 

 When travelling at five to seven knots the fish are invariably 

 caught if any are about. They seem much better flavoured 

 if put in salt and water for 24 hours. Baracoota is rather 

 dry and solid, has few bones, and is moderately well 

 flavoured. 



By Saturday, the 17th, we were off Cape Otway, with 

 numbers of sea birds in attendance. The wind blew nice and 

 fresh for a while, but later died out to a calm, and only two- 



