rn side, there was only 24 fathoms, which was the least water we
were in during the night.

January 27.

We found ourselves at daylight in 35 fathoms, two miles South-West from
the Pyramid, when we stood away East-South-East, to sound and have a
seaward view of the entrance between Hunter Island and Point Woolnorth.
This examination confirmed our former opinion that no ship-channel
existed there. But even if there had been one, the passage is so strewed
with rocks and disturbed by such heavy tide ripples, that it wears a most
dangerous appearance from the offing.

Rounding the south side of the south Black Rock, we went between it and
Steep Island in 19 fathoms. From thence we steered between the north
Black Rock and the west point of Hunter Island in 24 fathoms, having 15
fathoms midway between.

ALBATROSS ISLAND.

Continuing our northern course, we passed a mile from the west side of
Albatross Island, in 30 and 33 fathoms. It is a dark cliffy isle, the
summit of which although 125 feet high, appears to be sometimes washed by
the sea. There are one or two finger-shaped points of rock at the south
end; and a singular split in the entire island may be seen on the bearing
of North 75 degrees East. The wind had now increased to a gale from the
westward, and we were obliged to seek shelter under Hunter Island.

January 28.

In the morning the breeze was moderate from North-East, to which quarter
it had changed suddenly during the night, veering round from west by the
north. By noon it had shifted to East-North-East and had increased to a
gale. At 8 P.M. it blew a strong gale with gusts from that quarter. The
barometer had now just begun to fall, and was at 29.9. During the day it
had been steady at 30.02. This gale lasted, blowing with the same
violence (latterly from East) until 1 P.M. the next day, when after a
calm of about a quarter of an hour the wind changed suddenly to North
with rain, thunder, and vivid lightning, and by 4 P.M. had veered to west
and increased once more to a strong gale with heavy squalls. The
barometer at the same time began to rise; it had been stationary at 29.6
since the morning.

It was the evening of the 31st before this gale blew over, after veering
to the South-West. The barometer at the time was at 29.9, having risen to
that height in the morning. The rotatory character of this storm, which
resembled those we had experienced on our former visit, induces me to
enter thus into detai