On passing round Cape Flinders the remains of the Frederick’s wreck were still seen scattered over the rocks but appeared much reduced in quantity.

August 9.

Upon visiting it the next morning we observed evident proofs that some ship had lately been there and taken away several of her principal spars; and that a great portion of the smaller planks had been destroyed by the natives’ fires.  We took the opportunity of collecting some iron-work and teak planks, which afterwards proved more serviceable than we at the time anticipated.

Mr. Cunningham and Mr. Hunter walked about the island but did not meet the natives.  The traces both of men and dogs were so recent as to make us conjecture they were at no great distance; but from our subsequent knowledge of the inhabitants of these islands there is no doubt but that they would have shown themselves had they known of our visit.  Mr. Cunningham also ascended a remarkably rugged-looking hill at the south point of the bay on the east side of the island, which, from its appearance, received several appropriate names from our people, such as Mount Dreary and Mount Horrid.  Mr. Cunningham calls it Rugged Mount, and says, “it is thinly covered with a small variety of plants similar to those of Cape Cleveland.  This mount is a pile of rugged rocks, towered up to a considerable elevation above the sea which washes its base:  the stones of the summit being of angular or conical forms (apparently basaltic) whilst the general mass on the slopes or declivities are deeply excavated, furnishing spacious retreats to the natives.  I entered one of the caverns (the walls of which were of a decomposing sandstone) having a window formed in it by the falling down of a portion of the side rock.  The cave was a large natural chamber, capacious enough to hold conveniently a large tribe of natives; who, from the numerous fireplaces, broken turtle staffs, and other relics, had not very long since dwelt there.  I also found numerous fragments of quartzose rocks lying about and pieces of a kind of marble, of a brown colour, were abundant in the cavities, as well as upon the face of the mount.” (Cunningham manuscripts.)

August 10.

Upon leaving Cape Flinders we crossed Princess Charlotte’s Bay and steered at half to three-quarters of a mile within the reefs:  soon after noon it fell calm and we anchored under the lee of Pelican Island, and landed upon it to examine an appearance of turtle marks on the sand; they were however found to be of an old date.

This island, which does not measure more than two-thirds of a mile in circumference, is surrounded by a considerable reef and is remarkable for two clumps of trees upon it, that, standing separately, give the appearance at a distance of its being two distinct islets.  It is, like all the islets near it, little better than a sandy key.