Journals of Australian ExplorationsGregory, Augustus Charles
History
Journals of Australian Explorations
Gregory, Augustus Charles
Australia -- Discovery and exploration
From this time to the 3rd November the winds continued to blow almost
uninterruptedly from the south and eastward, which carried us as far west
as longitude 101 degrees east, and latitude 31 degrees south, where we
met with westerly winds, which enabled us to run up to within sight of
Cape Naturaliste by the 8th.
9th November.
By 10 a.m. we were off Rottnest Island, when the pilot came on board and
took us to the anchorage in Gage's Roads by noon. Having given
instructions to Mr. Turner for the landing of the horses, etc., I landed
with Messrs. Brown, Harding, and Hall, all of whom were, at their desire,
at once released from the duties of the Expedition. Proceeded by steamer
to Perth.
10th November.
Had an interview with His Excellency the Governor, and reported the safe
return of the party and general results of the Expedition.
F.T. GREGORY,
Commander North-West Australian Expedition.
Perth, 6th February, 1862.
...
APPENDIX.
Adopting the course which I have found most convenient on similar
occasions, I now proceed to offer a few remarks on the general features,
productions, and natural capabilities, etc., of the country traversed by
the Expedition, which could not, without disadvantage, have been
introduced into the foregoing narrative. These remarks have already
appeared at the conclusion of my report published on the 18th November,
1861, but are equally applicable to the present publication.
Commencing with its geographical and geological peculiarities, that
portion of the country that came under our observation consists of a
succession of terraces, rising inland for nearly 200 miles, more or less
broken up by volcanic hills towards the coast. The first belt averages
from ten to forty miles in width from the sea, and is a nearly level
plain, slightly ascending to the southward, with an elevation of from 40
to 100 feet, the soil being generally either light loam or strong clays,
according as it is the result of the disintegration of the granite rocks
that occasionally protrude above its surface, or of volcanic rocks of
black scoria that frequently interrupt the general level; hills of this
nature also constitute the greater portion of the more elevated islands
off the coast, Cape Lambert, and the promontory that shelters the western
side of Nickol Bay. The generality of these rocks do not, however, yield
so rich a soil as might be expected from their origin. This is owing to
the absence of actual lava, the eruptive heat having nearly been
sufficient to convert the superincumbent primary and tertiary rocks into
a vitreous scoria, having a specific gravity of 3.2, and is highly
indestructible in its texture.
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