138 A VOYAGE TO [South Coast, 
1802. anchor and be sheltered here, off a small beach at the north end of 
February. ' 
Tuesday 23. the largest island ; but I did not find any fresh water, either there 
or on the opposite parts of the main land. 
On-returning to the ship, I learned from some of the gentle- 
men who had been at the top of the highest hills at the back of the 
cove, that they had seen an inlet, going in westward, a little beyond 
Wednes. 24. where my excursion had terminated. Next day, I went up with 
instruments ; and having climbed upon a high lump of granite, saw 
the water extending 40 0 behind the coast, and forming, apparently, 
an extensive port. The annexed view, taken from near the same spot 
by Mr. Westall, shows what was visible of this fine piece of water, 
and the appearance of the neighbouring land. In addition to this 
interesting discovery, I obtained bearings of Cape Wiles, of the fur- 
thest extremity of Thistle's Island, and of a group of four islands 
and two rocks, five leagues beyond it to the east-south-east. The 
largest of these was named Wedge Island, from its shape, and the 
group Gambier's Isles, in honour of the worthy admiral (now 
lord Gambier ) , who had a seat at the Admiralty board when the 
Investigator was ordered to be fitted. 
This morning lieutenant Fowler had been sent to search the 
southern islands in Thorny Passage for any remains of our people ; 
but he was not able to land, nor in rowing round them, to see any 
indication of the objects of his pursuit. The recovery of their bodies 
was now the furthest to which our hopes extended ; but the number 
of sharks seen in the cove and at the last anchorage, rendered even 
this prospect of melancholy satisfaction extremely doubtful ; and our 
want of water becoming every day more pressing, we prepared to 
depart for the examination of the new opening to the northward. I 
caused an inscription to be engraven upon a sheet of copper, and set 
up on a stout post at the head of the cove, which I named Memory 
Cove ; and further to commemorate our loss, I gave to each of the 
six islands nearest to Cape Catastrophe, the name of one of the sea- 
men : Thistle's and Taylor's Islands have been already mentioned. 
