I should have lost much time in the search, had I not, fortunately, before leaving the Cape of Good Hope, obtained a more accurate account of their situation from a merchant of Cape Town, at whose request I undertook to convey some provisions to Possession, or to East Island, for a party of seamen employed there in the capture of the sea elephant (Morunga Elephantina).
Land was seen at daylight this morning, bearing April 26.E. by S. at the distance of ten miles. It proved to be Penguin, or Inaccessible Island, and well deserves either of the names it bears, for it was literally covered with penguins on all the ledges of its rugged shores, nor could we any where see a point on which it would be possible to land. Like all other volcanic islands, its summits terminate in curiously shaped pinnacles, and not the smallest appearance of vegetation was perceptible. The great quantities of sea-weed and numerous waterfowl we met with would have given us timely notice of our approach to land.
"Pig Island" of the sealers was soon afterwards seen to the northward. It is the westernmost island of the group, and presented a much more agreeable aspect, but the weather being unfavourable, and its eastern, or lee side, having many dangerous reefs and detached rocks off it, we did not venture nearer than two or three leagues; but after passing close to Inaccessible Island, we shaped a course for the southern extreme of Possession