✨ Expedition Report
but trace giving evidence that human life had ever existed there. On reaching Carnley's Harbor, we encnored in the place named by Capt. Musgrave "Camp Cove."
We remained in this snug spot, safely moored head and stern, until the morning of the 6th instant, and during the time visited with the whale-boat all the shores we could reach on either side of us but our operations were very much prevented by the state of the weather; which was one continued gale from the west-wind, with snow, rain, and hail squalls.
On one occasion we were two days absent from the vessel, the gale having increased so as to render impracticable our return. On our visit to the hut constructed by the crew of the Grafton, we again discovered a bottle, containing a letter left by the Victoria. I wrote on the back of the letter a notice of our visit to that part, and also that we (which we did) had planted potatoes there, and likewise on Musgrave’s Peninsula sowed carrot and turnip seed, and landed goats, and also at Camp Cove domestic fowls. I then placed the letter in the bottle, and left it as I found it.
In this place we adopted our former practice of making fires wherever any of our party went, and on some occasions there could be seen like bush fires from a distance of many miles.
On Monday, the 6th instant, we got under way at daylight, and during the day steamed to the head of all the arms of the harbor, and, as formerly, fired guns to attract attention, but without result.
Being satisfied now that nothing further could be done there, we anchored for the night in Camp Cove.
Got under way again the following morning (5th inst.), and proceeded to sea through the eastern passage, and went closely round the south side of Adam’s Island, and along the west side of the Auckland Group.
In going alongside, I was unable to keep so close to the land as I would have wished. There was a heavy swell rolling in upon the shore, accompanied by a fresh breeze, and I therefore kept at between three and four miles distance, all the way along the west side.
The tops of the hills were obscured by the haze, but the lower part of the shore was distinctly visible, unless during an occasional squall, which would only last from five to ten minutes.
At 4 p.m. we got to the north end, and passed Enderby Island shortly afterwards. The wind then moderated, but the swell considerably retarded our progress, so that it was 9 p.m. on the following day before we passed the Snares. I may here remark, that I saw no evidence of the easterly current spoken of by Captain Musgrave on his first arrival here, for the Southland came in upon the spot steered for both going and coming.
At daylight on the 9th, we made Stewart’s Island, and came up to the wharf here this afternoon.
I have the honor to be, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
J.B. Gaze.
To His Honor the Superintendent.
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Southland Provincial Gazette 1865, No 23
✨ LLM interpretation of page content
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Expedition to the Auckland Islands
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🌾 Primary Industries & Resources11 November 1865
Auckland Islands, Expedition, Survey, Geography, Whaling, Harbors, Mountains, Waterfalls, Geology, Flora, Peat, Greenstone, Traptuffe
- J.B. Gaze