April 1830. OBSTRUCTION SOUND. 351 
east side, near Cape Thomas, I proceeded, in hopes that beyond 
the next point some better prospect would be gained: on 
arriving there, however, my expectations were instantly checked 
by a bold rising shore, continuing uninterruptedly as far as the 
Oliver Islands, which we passed soon afterwards. 
<¢ The width of the channel between the Oliver Islands and 
the northern shore is not more than a mile, but it afterwards 
increases, and turns sharply first to the west, and then S.S.W. 
In the west reach there are many small islands, and the high 
ranges on both sides being detached from each other, gave me 
yet some hopes of finding a passage between them. Proceeding 
in the afternoon, a bight appeared to the 8.S E., about two 
miles to the westward of Cape Up-an’down, which was exa- 
mined, although there was no prospect of meeting with success 
by tracing it, and in it were found two small passages leading to 
the S.E., suitable only for boats. We ran down the largest, and 
a mile within the entrance were embayed. At the bottom of this 
bight the land was low, and I tried to get on some eminence, that 
I might command a view to the S.E., but was always im- 
peded by an impervious wood. I observed, however, distant 
high land in that direction, and could see a sheet of water, 
about six miles from me: but whether it was a lagoon, or a 
part of the Skyring Water, was doubtful. I could not, at this 
prospect, rejoice as Magalhaens did, when he first saw the 
Pacific, for my situation, I began to think, resembled that of 
Sterne’s starling. 
“‘ Keeping along the south shore, until late in the evening, 
we gained the west end of this reach, and finding no shelter for 
the boat, crossed to the broken land on the west side, and passed 
that night in Hewitt Harbour. 
*‘ On the following morning, we pursued our course to the 
S.S.W., and at eleven o'clock reached the extremity of this 
extensive sound. All our suspense was then removed, and all 
our hopes destroyed ; for the closing shores formed but a small 
bay in the S.W., and high land encircled every part without 
leaving an opening. 
** Throughout the examination of this sound, we did not 
