The Logbooks of the Lady Nelson | Page 9

form of four
islands, some six or seven leagues distant. At noon the ship was in 38
degrees 10 minutes south and longitude by account 142 degrees 30
minutes east, and the following notes are recorded in the journal of
Lieutenant Grant,* as his first impression of the land of New Holland
(Australia). (* The Journals and logbooks are not printed in extenso. A
few passages of minor importance that in no way affect the general
course of the narrative have, for want of space, been omitted.)
THE LADY NELSON TO PORT JACKSON.
"December 3rd, 1800. At daylight made all possible sail judging myself
to be in latitude of 38 degrees south.* (* (Note in log.) Longitude
worked back 141 degrees 20 minutes east.) At 8 A.M. saw the land
from north to east-north-east appearing like unconnected islands, being
four in number, which on our near approach turned out to be two capes
and two high mountains a considerable way inshore. One of them was
very like the Table Hill at the Cape of Good Hope, the other stands
farther into the country. Both are covered with large trees as is also the
land which is low and flat as far as the eye can reach. I named the first
of these mountains after Captain Schanck and the other Gambier's
Mountain. The first cape I called Northumberland, after His Grace the
Duke of Northumberland. Another smaller, but very conspicuous jut of
the land, which we plainly saw when abreast of Cape Northumberland I
named Cape Banks.* (* Grant named the two points first sighted Cape
Northumberland and Cape Banks and the two mountains behind Mount
Gambier and Mount Schanck, names they all still bear. Grant came in
sight of Australia near to the present boundary of Victoria and South

Australia.) When the former Cape bears north-west by west distant 8 or
9 miles, Schanck's Mountain loses its table form and appears like a
saddle. There does not appear to be a harbour here, but vessels may
find shelter under Cape Northumberland from north and
north-north-west winds. The shore is in general a flat sandy beach, the
sea at present making no breach upon it.
"December 4th. As we stood along the shore steering eastward, the land
as far as we could see bearing south-east. Hauled close up for it. This
forming a conspicuous cape, I named it Bridgewater* after the Duke of
that title. (* This cape has been described since as having "a bald pate
and shoulders besprinkled with white sand." Cape Bridgewater forms
with Cape Northumberland another bend called Discovery Bay where
the tides meet and create a very turbulent sea. The bay receives the
waters of the River Glenelg.) The shore is a sandy beach from where
we made the land to this cape, with bushes and large woods inland.
Finding we could not weather Cape Bridgewater, got four oars on the
lee side, which were employed all night. At daybreak in the morning
we weathered the cape when another cape appeared bearing east by
north about 15 or 16 miles distant forming with Cape Bridgewater a
very deep bay and to appearance had shelter for anchorage. The land
appeared beautiful, rising gradually and covered with wood. Being
anxious to examine whether it was safe to venture in or not, I ordered a
boat out and took two hands with me armed.
"After getting inshore about five miles we found there was not any
shelter from southerly winds; the water was very deep and apparently
so all the way in. We plainly saw several fires. At noon it was a matter
of great doubt whether we should not be forced to anchor--the bay
being very deep we could hardly clear it even with a steady breeze. Our
latitude was 38 degrees 20 minutes south. Cape Bridgewater then
bearing north-west by west 12 or 13 miles. I called the other Cape,
Nelson, after the vessel.
"December 5th. Saw several fires. This is a very deep bay and with
southerly winds ought carefully to be avoided. Cape Nelson bears from
Cape Bridgewater east-north-east 15 or 16 miles. The country is

beautiful, apparently a good soil, plenty of grass, and fine woods.
Towards evening saw many fires a little way inland. Many seals and
porpoises about to-day. At 5 A.M. saw another cape not unlike the
Deadman in the English Channel: it runs a considerable way into the
sea. When to the west it appears like a long barn arched on the top with
a high bluff and next the sea resembling the gable end of a house. I
named the land Sir William Grant's Cape.* (* Lieutenant Grant also
called this cape, Cape Solicitor. This name did not survive--the cape
being known as Cape Sir W. Grant.) Off this Cape are