Volume II Part 35 (1/2)

KOOMBANAH BAY

After touching at Swan River (where, finding His Excellency the Governor still absent, an account of our cruise was left with the Surveyor-General) we reached Koombanah Bay on the 27th Mr Forsyth, whom I had sent overland, had coe, and Leschenault Inlet, which it joins in the south corner by a narrow boat channel The wreck of a large whale shi+p in the head of the bay shows the folly of atteales to which it is exposed; but this may be remedied by a breakwater thrown out from Point Casuarina, of which nature has laid the foundation in the reef that extends out across the bay in the desired direction The strong outset fro the rainy season materially lessens the strain upon the cables of shi+ps caught there by a gale The peculiarity in the forhbourhood consists in some basaltic columns on the coast close to Point Casuarina

We devoted the 28th toobservations, etc; and I was surprised to find that this part of the coast was laid down four miles too much to the northward

(Footnote These observations were made on the beach, midway between Point Casuarina and the mouth of the estuary, which spot they place in latitude 33 degrees 19 rees 7 minutes 00 seconds West of Swan River Frorees West, six-tenths of a hest part of the Darling Range, Mount Williarees 6 ht 1720 feet; and that Mount Leonard, another excrescence on this range bore South 81 degrees 44 minutes East distant thirteen miles and seven-tenths, and was of an elevation of 1270 feet; whilst the surees West and the visible extrerees 50 minutes West which confirned it in the chart, being four s are true The rise of the tide, and the tih-water, are the same as at Swan River

ARRIVE AT SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Daylight, on the 29th, found us outside Kooht land breeze Fro, this part of the western shore of the continent wasthan any we had before seen The outline of the Darling Range, here approaching within fourteen orge of the Harvey, was sharply pencilled against the eastern sky that gloith the pure light of ; whilst the country betas clothed with trees of such nitude that their verdant su away in one sea of foliage as far as the eye could reach

The course we held led us within five miles of the north side of Naturaliste Reef, in 29 fathoms; the depth we found sixteen miles west of it was 60 fathoms, and half a mile south of it 26 fathoms It partakes of the error in latitude previously discovered in Cape Naturaliste, which is distant sixteen rees West (true)

(Footnote A circular patch of breakers half ato report, six and nine feet water on it)

Being desirous of confir the south coast, we visited for the purpose King George's Sound and South Australia, at which latter place we arrived on the e had taken place in the governorshi+p of the colony; and though it ith great regret that we learnt Colonel Gawler had left for England, ere glad he had found a worthy successor in our brother explorer Captain Grey

His Excellency and the le should visit the port, noanxious myself to examine the capabilities of the place, as well as to complete our survey of twenty-three miles of the eastern shore of Spencer's Gulf, on the afternoon of the 29th the Beagle was running into Port Adelaide

The ladies of the Governor, the Surveyor-General, and others, honoured us with their presence on the passage round

(Footnote Besides the light vessel off the bar at Port Adelaide, a flagstaff close to the southward at the pilot station serves to point out the entrance to strangers)

(Footnote I have already given some account of this port; and here, therefore, I need do nochart)

PROPOSED RAILROAD

It was the examination I made on this occasion of Colonel Gawler's excellent road between the port and Adelaide, which convinced ht easily be converted into a railroad, as there is sufficient width for a single line of rails without detracting froreat advantage to the colony there can be no doubt; and it is equally certain that it would be profitable to those engaged in it The exports and imports of South Australia are, year by year, rapidly increasing; and now that its vast ress of development, no bounds can be set to its probable wealth and prosperity

A railroad would be sure to attract a large amount of traffic even at present As, however, the Port of Adelaide only ade shi+ps o outside, or at Holdfast Roads; bethich place and Adelaide a railroada complete level the whole way

VISIT MOUNT BARKER

Being desirous of seeing a little more of this fertile part of the continent, I left Adelaide accordingly, after sunset, on January 31st, for Mount Barker, and before sunrise next day visited its suh, in order, if possible, to obtain a view in the clear at of Lake Alexandrina, or Victoria, and the river Murray In this, however, I was disappointed, the weather being hazy in that direction, so that nothing could be seen but the extensive scrub on the eastern side of the river, stretching away like a brown-coloured sea Mount Barker, which nised by a saddle-shaped hill to the south of it, lies about thirty miles South-East by East from Adelaide; the latter part of the road between is hilly; from its foot a strip of very rich land, about one , extends to the south-west, in the direction of Willunga, on our way to which I noticed several si the southerly course of the Finnis, at that time a dry rich flat, we entered a hilly picturesque country with deep fertile valleys Tracks of wild cattle were nuain disappointed by the haze that prevailed throughout the day, of a view of the surrounding country In the evening we reached Willunga, distant thirty-fivehad taken us, during the day, over fifty miles of country This townshi+p is prettily situated at the western foot of the hills on a woodland slope, bordered by the waters of the Gulf, at a distance of about six miles

(Footnote Named after the unfortunate Captain Barker by his friend Captain Sturt)

ENCOUNTER BAY

Our party was to have been here joined by Governor Grey, who, however, did not arrive till late next hbourhood, where the cleavage and quality equalled any I have seen in Wales, we left for Encounter Bay, bearing nearly south-east The first three hteen traversed the worst part of the province, a sandy, scrubby, slightly undulating country, about five hundred feet above the sea We were glad to find ourselves descending from this wearisome sterile tract upon some rich flats at the head of the river Hindovernor of the colony These we followed fourthe river, its tortuous course led to the southward for about five miles Where it joins the sea, in the north-western corner of Encounter Bay, a townshi+p, also named Hindmarsh, had been laid out, which will, doubtless, be a pleasant sue in the te was quite bleak, with a moderate breeze from seaward

I was naturallyanxious to see if the shelter here existing iven in the chart, of Victor Harbour; but the only protection, excepting for a small vessel in the north-west corner, and from northerly and westerly winds, is under a little island, where it is possible one or two vessels may lie Fro some sandhills at the entrance of which Captain Barker was ave rise to the name of Encounter Bay, and attached a melancholy interest to the spot

NATIVE MODE OF FIshi+NG