Cape Catastrophe.-] TERRA AUSTRALIA 
in every part, having to all appearance been dashed against the ,so2 - 
, February. 
rocks. One of the oars was afterwards found, but nothing could Monday 22. 
be seen of our unfortunate shipmates. The boat was again sent 
away in search ; and a midshipman was stationed upon a head land, 
without-side of the cove, to observe every thing which might drift 
past with the tide. Mr. Brown and a party landed to walk along the 
shore to the northward, whilst I proceeded to the southern extre- 
mity of the main land, which was now named Cape Catastrophe. 
On landing at the head of the cove, I found several foot marks of 
our people, made on the preceding afternoon when looking for 
water; and in my way up the valley I prosecuted the same research, 
but ineffectually, although there were many huts and other signs 
that natives had resided there lately. 
From the heights near the extremity of Cape Catastrophe, I 
examined with a glass the islands lying off', and all the neighbouring 
shores for any appearance of our people, but in vain ; I therefore 
took a set of angles for the survey, and returned on board ; and on 
comparing notes with the different parties, it appeared that no 
further information had been obtained of our unfortunate com- 
panions. 
Next morning I went in a boat ten miles along the shore to Tuesday 23. 
the northward, in the double view of continuing the search, and 
carrying on the survey. All the little sinuosities of the coast were 
followed, and in one place I picked up a small keg, which had be- 
longed to Mr. Thistle, and also some broken pieces of the boat ; but 
these were all that could be discovered. After taking angles at 
three stations on the main land, I crossed over to the northernmost 
and largest of the six small islands lying within Thorny Pas- 
sage. It is a mile and a half long, with a small islet off the north, 
and another off its south end. These I called Taylor's Isles, in 
memory of the young gentleman who was in the cutter with Mr. 
Thistle. They lie near two miles from the main, and the depth be- 
tween is from 7 to 10 fathoms, on a sandy bottom. A ship might 
