Castaway on the Auckland Isles: A Narrative of the Wreck of the "Grafton", from the Private Journals of Capt. Thos. Musgrave, with a Map, and Some Account of the Aucklands |
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able amongst anchor Auckland Auckland Islands beach black seal blow-flies blowing boat Captain Cross clouds commenced constant heavy rain continued Cove dark weather death or freedom distance double reefs eastward eight Enderby Island entrance fathoms fear feet fish Flagstaff Point Flying Scud foggy frequent showers Friday getting gloomy hail half harbor hard gale hauled head heavy gale impossible inches Invercargill killed land last night light little vessel look mainsail Masked Island meat midnight moderate Monday morning nearly noon northward o'clock p.m.-Barometer p.m.-Strong past week Port Easy Port Pegasus Port Ross rained heavily Raynal rising rocks round running sail Sea Point shore side Sir James Ross Snares Islands snow South Cape bearing squalls Stewart Island strong breeze SUNDAY thermometer tide to-day Tuesday weather and barometer Wednesday western arm westward widgeon wind
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Page 4 - On the highest parts, the small level spots were covered only with moss and a description of tall grass, and in places also a kind of grain grew abundantly. The ground was dry everywhere, all the water being found in the streams, which were numerous and pure. '"Near the summit the ground was perforated in all directions, probably by birds who rear their young in these holes. Many of the birds, principally procellaria, were sitting on the ground ; they made an effort to escape, but suffered themselves...
Page 12 - ... is abundant room for a hundred ships to lie in the most perfect security, and excellent water can be had in any quantity. The remains of some huts were found on each side of a cove, to the north of the ' Erebus ' anchorage, as also the graves of several seamen, and one of a French woman, accidentally drowned. There had been also an establishment at the side of a stream in the north-west corner of the harbour, but the position was not so good as that of the cove. The observation spot on the beach,...
Page 9 - The Harbour of Sarah's Bosom is not the most secure; that of Lawrie's is protected from all winds, and has a large and fine streamlet of water at its head. The rocks are covered with limpets, and small fish of many varieties are caught in quantities among the kelp. The crew enjoyed themselves on chowders and fries. No geese were seen, and the only game observed were a few gray ducks, snipes, cormorants, and the common shag. The land birds are excellent eating, especially the hawks ; and on the whole,...
Page 4 - On the western side of the Auckland Island, the underbrush and young trees are exceedingly thick. Dr. Holmes remarks, that it was impossible to penetrate ; that he was occupied fully an hour in making his way for a hundred yards, where, to all appearance, a human step had never before trodden. There was not a vestige of a track ; old trees were strewn about irregularly, sometimes kept erect by the pressure on all sides. Some trees were seen upwards of...
Page 4 - These islands have in many places the appearance of having been raised directly from the sea ; the cliffs consisted of basalt, and were generally from fifty to ninety feet perpendicular. The Auckland Islands are the resort of whalers, for the purpose of refitting and awaiting the whaling season, which occurs here in the months of April and May. Near the watering-place a commodious hut has been erected...
Page 5 - Near the watering place a commodious hut has been erected by a French whaler. Near by was another in ruins, and close to it the grave of a French sailor, whose name was inscribed on a wooden cross erected over it. Some attempts at forming a garden were observed at one of the points of Sarah's Bosom, and turnips, cabbages, and potatoes were, growing finely, which, if left undisturbed, will soon cover this portion of the island; to these a few onions were added.
Page 4 - ... of which he gives the following account : " I found it very thickly covered with trees, in its less elevated parts ; as few of them were of any size, I found no small difficulty in penetrating and making my way through them; in many places it was absolutely impossible. It was only after a long and fatiguing walk, that I succeeded in reaching the summit of that part of the island, near which the brig was anchored, where I found the trees less numerous A thick growth of underwood and dwarf bushes,...
Page 3 - During their brief stay here, all were actively employed wooding and watering, for which this harbour affords a fine opportunity. Assistant-Surgeon Holmes made several excursions on the largest island, of which he gives the following account : " I found it very thickly covered with trees, in its less elevated parts ; as few of them were of any size, I found no small difficulty in penetrating and making my way through them; in many places it was absolutely impossible. It was only after a long and...
Page 6 - Island, which is only a channel fit for boats. The sea was breaking right across the opening when the ' Erebus ' passed ; but in calm weather it might be mistaken by strangers for a safe passage. As is frequently the case, the tidal currents meet off Enderby Island, and on this Sir James Ross says : — ' On rounding the north-east cape of Enderby Island, we passed through some strong whirlpools occasioned by the meeting of the tides off the Point, and although we did not at first find soundings...
Page 4 - ... probably by birds, who rear their young in these holes. Many of the birds, principally procellaria, were sitting on the ground : they made no effort to escape, but suffered themselves to be taken without any attempt at resistance. " The forest was full of small birds, of three or four different species, which were perfectly fearless ; one little fellow alighted on my cap as I was sitting under a tree, and sang long and melodiously; another and still smaller species, of a black colour spotted...