_A brief account of the west-coast of the South-land._
The South-land has sandy dunes forming many points on the sea-side; the
dunes all consist of loose sand overgrown with grass into which a man
will sink up to his ankles, and leave deep footprints on withdrawing his
feet.
About a mile more or less off shore, there is as a rule a rocky reef, on
which the breakers may be seen to dash violently in many places, the
depth above the reef being in several places, 1, 1Ω and even 2 fathom, so
that pinnaces and boats may get over it for the purpose of landing, there
being deeper water close inshore, but all of it with a rocky, sharp
coral-bottom, so that it is difficult to land there, and much harder
still to keep a pinnace at anchor with a drag; except in a place about 9
miles north of the island, where there are three rocks close to the
shore, which are connected by a rocky reef, behind which you may
conveniently lie at anchor and effect a landing with pinnaces or boats;
but the bottom is foul and rocky everywhere.
Inward, the land is pretty high, with hills of even height, but barren
and wild to look at, except near the island where a great many trees are
seen.
In slightly under 32° S. Lat. there is a large island, at about 3 miles'
distance from the mainland of the South-land; this island has high
mountains, with a good deal of brushwood and many thornbushes, so that it
is hard to go over; here certain animals are found, since we saw many
excrements, and besides two seals and a wild cat, resembling a civet-cat,
but with browner hair. This island is dangerous to touch at, owing to the
rocky reefs which are level with the water and below the surface, almost
along the whole length of the shore; between it and the mainland there
are also numerous rocks and reefs, and slightly more to southward there
is another small island.
This large island to which we have been unwilling to give a name, leaving
this matter to the Honourable Lord Governor-General's pleasure, may be
seen at 7 or 8 miles' distance out at sea in fine weather. I surmise that
brackish or fresh water might be obtainable there, and likewise good
firewood, but not without great trouble.
Two good and certain landmarks of the West-coast of the Southland:
Firstly: If in these regions you observe about 11 degrees variation of
the compass, you may be sure of not being at more than 18 or 20 miles'
distance from the land.
Secondly: If you see rock-weed floating about, you may be assured that
you will sound the bottom in 70, 60, 50, 40, 30 fathom or less.
At foot:
Your obedient Servant
(signed)
SAMUEL VOLCKERSEN.