Page:Narrative of a Voyage around the World - 1843.djvu/160

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NORFOLK SOUND.
[1837.

Baron Wrangel, I think, was the first Russian lady who ventured so far.

The whole establishment appears to be rapidly on the advance, and at no distant period we may hear of a trip to Norfolk Sound (through America) as little more than a summer excursion.

On the 27th of September we parted from our friends with much regret, and to the latest moment experienced acts of kindness and attention. Our egress was by the direct or southern channel, which leads clear of dangers, and allows of free working-room at a distance of three miles from the anchorage.

There are several remarkable hills in the sound which, in foggy weather, show their summits above all, and serve to help the navigator who has before seen them; but unless particularly inserted on the chart, they are of course useless.

Of these, Mount Edgecumbe, at the northern entrance, is three thousand one hundred and thirty feet above the sea-level, and is easily known by its denuded red stripes. The Pouce, immediately behind the arsenal, is three thousand four hundred feet, and indicates the direction to which the vessel must be pushed for anchorage before dark.

The Russian chart places a light on one of the rocks in the western channel, but this is incorrect. There is but one light, and that is on the citadel, and, unless a vessel makes her signal, will not be illuminated.