'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from January 1847 to May 1849. Edited by the Secretary. Volume VIII.' [‎373] (482/496)

and valhes, of the wildest luxuriance, watered by innumerable rivers and
streams, are untouched by the hands of man; and although her woods
teem with birds of the most gorgeous plumage, the land alone is inhabited
by the naked and barbarous savage, who lives on the indigenous produc
tions of the soil, and delights only in brutal wars and rapine : it is in fact
a paradise, peopled by the most inhuman race on the face of the earth.
England should therefore claim this magnificent country, and be the first
in the field to make known to the world its value and its resources : it
would be adding another bright gem to Victoria’s diadem. Shortly after
we had passed Hammond’s Isle, sighted Booby Island bearing S. 22° W.,
distance six leagues. On approaching it, observed a staff erected in the
centre, on which was a white flag flying. At 1040 a. m., hove to under
the lee in seven fathoms, a quarter of a mile off shore. The gig was
loweied, and I was dispatched to ascertain what the signal meant. On
landing, had to scramble up the steep sides of the rock, and when I
i cached the top, found that a bottle only was attached to the pole, which
contained se\eial letters from the Masters of the different merchant
ships, meiely announcing their safe passage through the intricate and
much-dreaded navigation of Torres Straits, and requesting to be reported
at the first port touched at. A short notice of the Tigris s and Isabellas
voyage was also added to the contents of the bottle, and it was afterwards
safely deposited in its former place. I then returned on board and
reported my proceedings to the Captain, telling him at the same time the
names of the vessels that had recently passed. This Island is in latitude
10 SS 7 south and longitude 141° 53 / east, and is a mere barren rock,
only about a mile or so in circumference, and not more than 50 or 60
feet high : it is perfectly destitute of everything like vegetation except a
few prickly shrubs. The place literally swarms with boobies, and the
stench from the ammonia caused by their deposits was most sickening,
so that I was glad to hurry off the Island as quick as possible. On the
very summit discovered a large bar of iron standing in a small well some
four or five feet deep, containing a spring of tolerably good water : the
bar I concluded was placed in the well so as to mark the spot. At
11'40 hoisted up the gig, made all plain sail and stood to the westward:
latitude at noon 10° 3G 7 south, Booby Island east by north, distant six
miles. At 1*30 bore away to avoid a shallow patch, two more appearing
to the southward at the distance of a mile and a half: hauled up imme
diately and steered to windward of them—least water in passing, seven and
& half fathoms. The sea was very much discoloured, and of a muddy ap
pearance : these patches appeared to be about a half mile in length, and