between Cape Raoul and Cape Pillar; and, although a dense mist concealed these two remarkable capes from our view, we occasionally caught a glimpse of the lofty basaltic columns of Cape Pillar, which we passed at a few miles' distance, just before dark. The wind being fresh from the northward, we felt the effects of a heavy irregular sea as we stood to the eastward during the night, when we got from under the lee of the land.
July 8.We tacked to the westward before daylight, but light variable winds and a heavy N.E. swell prevented our making any progress; so that, at noon Cape Pillar was still in sight, at a distance of eleven or twelve miles, bearing S. 58º W., our latitude being 43º 5′, long. 148º 21′ E. Thick weather, with rain, the usual accompaniments of a northerly wind, prevailed during the day; but the swell, as it subsided, became more regular, and the wind veered to the westward in the evening. Cape pigeons, blue petrel, and the dusky and black-backed albatrosses were our companions. Many large patches of seaweed were passed through, and a few whales were seen during the day.
July 9.The next morning the wind became more favourable, and before noon we had all studding-sails set. Our run to Port Jackson was unattended with any circumstance worthy of notice. At July 11.daylight, on the morning of the 11th, Cape Howe was seen bearing N.N.W.; and at 1 p.m. soundings were obtained in two hundred and ninety-two fathoms, on a bank of fine sand and greenish mud,