SIS GRAFTON ISLANDS OESERV ATIOKS. Jan. 1830. 



much information. This afternoon it blew a heavy gale, but in 

 such a sheltered place we only felt a few williwaws. From Mr. 

 Murray'^s account it appeared that this island and those adjoin- 

 ing it to the eastward are a cluster lying together, but quite 

 separated from the mainland, or rather the main body of islands, 

 by a channel opening northward into Breaker Bay, and to the 

 southward into Stokes Bay. They were called the Grafton 

 Islands. 



10th. We had a heavy gale throughout this day with much 

 rain. Bad weather, while at a good anchorage, I did not at that 

 time regret, as the materials for our charts accumulated fast, 

 and afforded no leisure time while we were detained on board. 



" 11th. A favourable day allowed us to examine and sound 

 the outer roads, and obtain a round of angles from the western 

 extreme of Ipswich Island, which completed my triangulation. 

 Landing there was dangerous, and ascending the hill extremely 

 difficult, on account of thick tangled brushwood which grows 

 about three or four feet high on every part of the east side, and 

 is so matted together as to be almost impenetrable. We gene- 

 rally scrambled over this jungle, but sometimes crept under it. 



" 12th. A tolerably fine day. The sun was visible both in 

 the morning and afternoon ; and from different summits Mr. 

 Stokes and I took angles. The sky being clear near the horizon 

 gave us a wide range. Meanwhile the ship was prepared to sail 

 in search of a new place at which to employ our instruments. 

 I hoped that this basin, harbour, and roadstead, might be of 

 service, and therefore spared no pains about them. Eight lati- 

 tudes were obtained by sets of circum-meridional altitudes; 

 with four different sextants : two by Mr. Stokes, the rest by 

 me : and as they all agreed, within fifteen seconds, I supposed 

 their mean to be nearly correct. The sights for time were good, 

 and the chronometers were going so steadily that dependence 

 may be placed upon the accuracy of their results. To a vessel 

 bound round Cape Horn and meeting with an accident, or in 

 want of wood or water, this place might be useful. It is very 

 easy to find, and easy to enter or depart from with the prevail- 

 ing westerly winds. 



