Title

View of the Heads.

Author

Author not identified

Source

[Not applicable]

Type

About the work

Language

English

Country of context

Australia

Full text

View of the Heads.

THIS View of' BOTANY BAY is taken from the south side of COOK'S RIVER, at its confluence with the Bay. On the left side, at the bottom, the mouth of Cook's River may be seen, and at the top of the Bay to the left also, the Heads of the Bay are visible ;- that on the left side is called Cape Solander; and that on the right Cape Banks. A little to the right of Cape Banks is a faint representation of the rock near which the celebrated circumnavigator, Captain Cook, first landed in the year 1770. This memorable event, which led to the subsequent discovery and settlement of the important countries designated by their first explorer, NEW SOUTH WALES 15 recorded on a large brass plate affixed to the rock. The name of BOTANY BAY was given to this part of the new-discovered country in compliment to that great naturalist, Sir JOSEPH BANKS, (then Mr. Banks,) who, for scientific purposes, accompanied Captain Cook in these voyages; and who here found the most extensive field for botanical research which he had met with in the course of their whole voyage round the world.

This Bay is situated six miles south of Sydney by land, and is about nine miles from the entrance into the mouth of' the river leading to SYDNEY. In extent it is about six miles from the entrance to the mouth of George's River, and about five miles from the mouth of Cook's River to the south shore. It is in general shallow, so much so, that ships of large burthen, cannot proceed far up the Bay, though they may anchor in seven or eight fathoms water about a mile from the entrance.

The country round BOTANY BAY is in general flat, and the land on the north side is sandy and barren. 'There is some good land on the south side, which affords excellent pasturage for cattle and sheep, and there also are some parts near the bay in a state of cultivation.

Accompanying text, 1825.