Volume I Part 35 (2/2)

The tedious uniformity and sameness in the banks of the Adelaide, thus far, may be illustrated by the fact, that to know the boat's position on returning, it was necessary to have the sketch of the river constantly before our eyes, and to reckon each reach as we passed

ALLIGATORS

Taking the return tide, we passed the night in the fourth reach; very stringent orders were given to the watch to keep a sharp lookout for alligators, as a greatthe day, while we knew that on the previous night a et into one of the boats We had fired at several, but with one exception had done no mischief To be roused by the noise of the boat's keel or side grating harshly against the scaly back of an alligator, is far froenerally founda pistol, always kept near ment upon the very first flat head that showed his nose above the gunwale Entertaining very vivid recollections of our experience on Fitzroy River, on the first start of the boats great preparations were reeable surprise, however, we experienced but slight annoyance from them The exemption, however, was fully made up by the swarinto our mouths

There had been a fresh North-East wind the latter part of the day, which dying aas succeeded by a calht with a heavy dew

The therrees, and in the day varied froust 6

We got on board in the forenoon, when the result of our examination was heard with a satisfaction not easily expressed, but which ined We felt that we had discovered a river navigable for vessels of four and five hundred tons, for about fiftyhitherto unknown in Australia We ratulate ourselves on the importance of the discovery of the Adelaide

ADAM BAY

The bay into which it flows, named after Sir Charles Adam, is six miles deep and ten broad at the entrance, where there are 9 fathoradually approach each other, and at the head, where it receives the waters of the Adelaide, the width is only one mile

The mouth of the river is fronted with shoals that extend out five miles; the channel between them is narrow, 3 and 4 fathouide for theSouth 40 degrees East

The generally discoloured state of the water prevents the shoals fro from half to three quarters of a mile off the east side of the bay, where there is excellent anchorage Sea and land breezes prevailed; the fore of being of easy access either froh Clarence Strait, or fro tides soh-water is six o'clock The streaing to the latter direction two and a half hours after high-water Our observations place Escape Cliffs (too remarkable and conspicuous to be overlooked, and which shi+ps should anchor abreast of) in latitude 12 degrees 8 1/2 rees 15 ton The variation of the coe, by a bearing of a distant point, to ascertain the local attraction in the shi+p, which in no instance exceeded 1 degree, being the amount we had found at Plyland Our deeply interesting researches on the south side of Clarence Strait, leading to so important a discovery, were now concluded

EXAMINE MELVILLE ISLAND

The success which had rewarded our efforts,to the spot, and it was therefore al to examine the southern shores of Melville Island, where we anchored two miles from the beach, and fifteen within the west entrance of the strait A quarter of asome distance froradual decrease froles and bearings for the survey, were taken froh, composed of a red sand and ironstone, and a white kind of marl or pipe clay The shore trended nearly South-West and North-East Six miles in the former direction is an inlet which Mr

Fitzmaurice has visited from the Vernon Isles, and anotherdistance froh land which was al the trend of the shore Two peaks rising in hollows on it attained an elevation of 260 and 290 feet There were no rocky points visible at loater--a clean sandy beach, which appeared, strange to say, to have been washed occasionally by a heavy surf, forular clump of Casuarina was close to the ard of the cliffs, and its dark naked aspect contrasted with the stunted guly sprinkled over this sterile tract of country With the exception of a few seabirds, there was nothing living stirring to change the opinion we have just expressed of this part of Melville Island Our visit, however, was not to be forgotten in an instant, although no very pleasing recollections were connected with it

GREEN ANTS

Whilst taking a few angles near the cliffs, we suddenly experienced a series of severe bites or nippings in several parts of our body, and looking round to discover whence arose this unexpected attack, found ourselves under a tree covered with large green ants Their bites were exceedingly painful, and it was only by beating and tearing off our clothes that we could rid ourselves of these unwelcome visitors From a distance our appearanceOnelike arments The name of Ant Cliffs records our visit to the south shores of Melville Island The tide on this side of the strait ran nearly two knots an hour, following the direction of the shore; the ti a quarter of an hour earlier than in Adaust 15

Recrossed Clarence Strait to obtain observations for rating the chronometers, and exa near its edge, a patch with only five feet was discovered close to the shi+p; theof the tides, setting out of Van Diemen's Gulf and Adam Bay, renders it necessary to approach Cape Hothareat depth, for this strait, of twenty fathoer, the liiven on the occasion of our first visit to Cape Hotha nowfurther, that we should procure a supply As it was a matter of no certainty that we should find sufficient on the coast to the ard, it was at first suggested that we should take the shi+p up the Adelaide and fill the tanks fro never before been accomplished in any river in Australia

Indeed it was the only one on the whole continent, which could carry up a vessel of the Beagle's draught into fresh water An idea, the realization of which would so coave rise to a great degree of enthusiashts prevailed, e reflected on the ti would consume, on account of the tortuous course of the river: time which we could, with our scanty stock of provisions, ill spare At Port Essington it was possible we should be able to get a supply of both, as a shi+p hly important, that we should nitude as the Adelaide, distant only seventyshows the flat nature of a country h it It is a want of change in the level, which causes a river to twist and wind about in search, as it were, of the weakest spot for its exit)

RETURN TOWARDS PORT ESSINGTON

It was then finally resolved that we should return to Port Essington, and in the forenoon of the 17th, the Beagle was drifting along the western shore of Dundas Strait, out of Van Die, very rehout, the anchor was dropped at sunset in 22 fatho the North-East point of Melville Island, bearing North-West 1/2 West eight miles A deep sandy bay bore South-West five e The appearance of the north-east part of Melville Island was still very triste, presenting to the eye nothing save patches of e of ill-defined hills, 300 feet in elevation

(Footnote The tide out of Van Die in contact with Cape Keith, it branches off along the east and south side of Melville Island)