'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from January 1847 to May 1849. Edited by the Secretary. Volume VIII.' [‎213] (322/496)

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approach of our boat did not disturb them, or put them to flight: many
albatrosses allowed us to attack them with our oars and the boat hooks,
and several were consequently knocked down and killed.
Light N. W. breezes now prevailed, accompanied by a long south
westerly swell, which continued until the 11 th, when the wind suddenly
shifted to the southward, and blew a hard gale for several hours, which
obliged us to heave to under a close-reefed main-top-sail, and fore-top-
masts tay-sail—a high confused sea running, vessel rolling heavily at
times ; sent down top-gallant-yards and masts, made all snug and pre
pared for bad weather: dark threatening appearance all round, raining and
very cold, thermometer standing at 46°; the lascars A term used by the British officials to describe non-European sailors employed on East India Company ships. and sepoys Term used in English to refer to an Indian infantryman. Carries some derogatory connotations as sometimes used as a means of othering and emphasising race, colour, origins, or rank. of no use,
and we could not get them to work aloft, their fingers being quite be
numbed ; obliged to issue out spirits to them the same as Europeans,
otherwise many would have died. On the evening of the 12th the storm
moderated, and we were enabled to carry more sail, and to stand on our
proper course, though the weather still continued unsettled and cloudy,
with frequent heavy squalls, and a long S. W. swell. On the 13th, in
consequence of the severity of the weather, and intensity of the cold,
one of the sepoys Term used in English to refer to an Indian infantryman. Carries some derogatory connotations as sometimes used as a means of othering and emphasising race, colour, origins, or rank. died. These strong westerly gales prevailed until the
25th, when the wind veered round to the N. Eastward, and blew a strong
gale from that quarter, which rendered it impossible to beat through
Basses’ Straits, and consequently we bore up for Hobart Town. At noon
passed King’s Island, the extremes bearing 1ST. 20° E. to N. 55° E. This
island is moderately high, and is covered with pine trees. A few huts or
cottages were seen on the sides of the hills, which we supposed might be
inhabited by whalers and fishermen.
On the 27th sighted the Eddystone Bocks, bearing S. 64° W., and
Tusman’s Head IST. 4° E. The land here is very mountainous, exceed-
ingly picturesque, and clothed with forest trees as far as the eye can
reach,—the summits of the hills being completely capped with snow.
The next day at 3h. 30m. came to anchor off Hobart Town in thirteen
fathoms—blue clay—three-quarters of a mile from the Government jetty.
Hobart Town is situated on the river Derwent, about fifteen miles from
its entrance. It is rather an extensive and well laid out town, and can
boast of many fine public buildings, and several good shops and streets :
it reminds one of a neat country town in England. We observed many
rural cottages covered with roses and creepers, and tasteful gardens in
front. I am sure I could never fancy myself at the most distant extre-