62 
FROM CAPE OF GOOD HOPE TO SYDNEY. 
our whereabouts, we shaped our course for Possession Island. About noon on the 2nd of 
January the weather cleared up a little, and the hill-tops of the island we were in search of 
appeared from time to time above the dense fog - . Later in the afternoon, a long stretch of 
rock-bound coast, the southernmost part of Possession Island, suddenly emerged from the misty 
horizon. We steered for Navire Bay, an inlet on the east coast, with the intention of landing; 
but hardly had we looked into the bay and caught a glimpse of the hills and sloping terraces, 
when a heavy bank of mist, like a solid white wall, was seen moving down upon us from the 
north-east, compelling us to seek safety in the open. We had observed on shore a hut, 
a boat, and some casks, which showed that the bay is occasionally visited by whalers, and we 
fired a gun in case anyone within hearing should require assistance, but there was no response. 
Just as we were getting under way, the misty wall on our left divided, and we saw before 
us, rising into the blue sky and lighted up by the setting sun, the stupendous rocks of 
East Island. According to the chart, the summits of this island attain a height of 4000 
EAST ISLAND. 
feet above the sea-level. It seemed as if Nature would fain display one of her grandest 
effects before our departure, for a few minutes later the misty curtain closed in, reminding 
us of the crowning tableau which the scenic artist at home reserves for the end of the 
spectacle. We spent another day in the vicinity of these inhospitable islands, which lie 
right in the track of vessels bound for Australia, and in the afternoon of the 3rd made sail 
for 0111 next destination. Merrily bowling along before a strong north-westerly breeze, we 
only occupied three days in traversing the 700 miles which separated us from Kerguelen Land; 
but the rolling ship considerably interfered with our usual occupations. Though the chair 
was lashed to the table, its occupant found himself, together with his writing and drawing 
materials, suddenly transferred more than once from one side of the deck to the other The 
“ Challenger ” in a heavy sea was one of the liveliest of ships, rolling frequently through an 
arc of from 30° to 40 0 —from 15 0 to 20° on each side—at the rate of five rolls per minute. In 
this manner the gallant ship made her way through the southern seas, scattering the foaming 
waves right and left, amidst frequent squalls and showers of rain, snow, and hail, until, in the 
evening of the 6th, Bligh’s Cap was sighted—a solitary rock, posted in the north-west as 
the most advanced sentinel of the mountainous host which bears the name of Kerguelen. 
More fortunate than other navigators, who have had to wait days and weeks for a chance of 
approaching these storm-beaten islands, we were able to make land on the following day, only 
standing off during the night. At daybreak, the Cloudy Islands were in sight about twelve 
miles to the south-west. Soon after, Cape Fran^ais was visible, and at breakfast-time we were 
safely anchored in the smooth waters of Christmas Harbour. 
