558 



ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [ New South Wales, %c. 



the soundings, about three miles from the entrance, are 12 and 13 fathoms, 

 decreasing to 7 and 8. A reef projects from each side of the entrance. 

 The harbour is excellent, but there is no fresh water in the vicinity of the 

 entrance ; the nearest being found at the S. E. angle of the harbour, to the 

 W. of the hill called Arthur's Seat 



VAN DIEMEN'S LAND is an bland, the medial length of which is 

 about 160 geographical miles from N. to S., and the breadth 145 from 

 E. to W. It is situated between the latitudes of 41° and 40° 32' S., and 

 between the longitudes of 144° 32 and 148 J 25' E. Its surface is undulated, 

 and diversified with mountains and dales, forests and meadows. It has lakes, 

 rivers, and inlets; and its climate is temperate, not very different from 

 that of England, though less subject to sudden changes. It is divided into 

 two counties, Buckinghamshire and Cornwall ; the former extends from 

 the S. coast to the 42d deg. of latitude, including Hobart's Town within its 

 limits ; the latter reaches from the same line to the N. coast, and compre- 

 hends the town of Launceston. 



The W. coast is of a rocky and sterile aspect ; but it contains an 

 excellent harbour, called Port Davey, in latitude 45° 28 S., longitude 

 14p6° E. It has not only abundance of fresh water, but the shores abound 

 with Uuon pine. 



The S. coast is of a similar character to the W. ; it is mottled with 

 rocks of white quartz and black basalt, and the projecting points are high, 

 steep, and barren. Port d'Entrecasteaux, at the W. extremity of the bay 

 formed by the S. Cape of Van Diemen s Land, and Tasmania Head, is safe, 

 and convenient for procuring wood and water. D'Entrecasteaux's Strait 

 affords safe anchorage in from 20 to 6 fathoms, soft mud, occasionally 

 mixed with sand. Fresh water may be procured, but it is difficult to get 

 the casks to the boat, on account of the muddy shores. 



STORM BAY is a deep gulph, formed between Cape Pillar and Cape 

 Frederick Henry, and stretching to the N. W. A channel at its N. W. 

 angle leads to 



DERWENT RIVER, which is safe and navigable for large ships to 

 a considerable distance. At the entrance it is 2 miles wide, with depths of 

 from 10 to 12 fathoms; the point on the E, side is rocky ; but Shoal Point 

 on the S. shore, is the only place of danger, and here the river is contracted 

 to half a mile. Upon this river is a settlement, made by a colony from Port 

 Jackson, called 



HOB ARTS TOWN. — This town is built at the foot of a lofty moun- 

 tain, called Mount Wellington, near a river, named the Jordan, which is 

 confined to deep pools, or narrow channels, in summer, and overflows its 



