Journals of Two Expeditions of Discovery in North-West and Western Australia, Volume 1Grey, George
History
Journals of Two Expeditions of Discovery in North-West and Western Australia, Volume 1
Grey, George
Natural history -- Australia -- Western Australia; Western Australia -- Discovery and exploration
This day at two P.M., all our preparations having been completed and the
wind somewhat moderated, we stood across the bay, and soon after
nightfall made the main about twelve miles to the north of the northern
mouth of the Gascoyne. The wind freshened a great deal during the night;
but as it was impossible to beach boats on so dangerous a coast in the
dark we were obliged to trust to the goodness of our anchors, and they
did not disappoint us.
March 23.
Before dawn this morning we were under weigh and pulling dead to windward
against a strong breeze and heavy sea; the men rowed almost without
intermission until noon when, finding them completely exhausted, I made
sail and stood in towards the shore. When we had approached the land
about four miles to the north of the Gascoyne a party of natives came
down, without their spears, in the most friendly manner, making signs to
us to land. We had however but little time to spare, and could not afford
to give them any provisions: knowing also the small dependence that can
be placed upon them in a first interview, I thought it most prudent to
decline their invitation.
COMPLETE OUR WATER.
We accordingly continued our route and in the course of the evening made
the river, where we completed our water, and halted for the night. We saw
nothing more of the natives here, but I feel convinced that in the event
of a settlement being formed at this point no difficulty would be found
in establishing and maintaining the most friendly relations with them.
ANCHOR TO THE NORTH OF THE GASCOYNE.
March 24.
The morning did not promise very well, but soon after sunrise the wind
shifted so much to the westward that we were able to run along shore, and
in the course of the day we made altogether about forty-five miles,
tracing the greater part of the remaining unknown portion of the shores
of Shark Bay. On leaving the Gascoyne, a low point bore due south of us,
distant about twelve miles, which I named Point Greenough after George
Bellas Greenough, Esquire, the president of the Royal Geographical
Society; and between this point and the river lay a deep bay, the shores
of which were low and thickly studded with mangroves, through which many
saltwater creeks ran up into the country. Two of these creeks I had
examined on a previous occasion, and therefore now paid no attention to
them.
EXAMINE THE COAST TO THE SOUTHWARD. ITS CHARACTER.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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