["Shipping", The Brisbane Courier (Qld.), Thursday 08 June 1865, page 2]
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The following report of the discovery of an island on Camden Harbor, has appeared in the Melbourne Argus:--"Freemantle, April 20, 1865. Sir,--I have the honor to report to you the existence of an island not laid down on the Admiralty Chart, sheet No. V., of N.W. Australia, surveys of Captains King and Stokes, 1842, or on a general chart of Australia, dated 1864; the nearest danger on the charts, being the Beagle Banks, distance some eighteen miles to the north-westward. The following is an extract from my journal. February 15, 1865.--Daylight, moderate breeze from W.S.W., vessel steoring E. ¼ S., fine clear weather. At twenty minutes past seven a.m., tho look-out from aloft reported land to N.N. eastward; hauled the vessel up direct for it, until had shoaled the water from forty fathoms to five fathoms, over a rooky bottom, the west end of the land then bearing due north, and distant five miles. It proved to be an island, low and sandy, somewhat elevated towards its centre, which portion was apparently dotted with stunted bushes. It it six miles in length, trending nearly east and west, with an apparent breadth of not more than two or three miles. The island is now about fifty feet in height, giving it a probable elevation of about thirty feet at high water. Shallow water extends three to four miles southward of it, and many scattered patches of rock are now visible, extending a considerable distance from both the east and west ends. Some doubtless covered at high water. As we ran along the edge of the shoal water on a due east course, obtained three sets of sights for longitude, thirty minutes' interval of time between each set, the distance run carefully noted by log and bearings of the land. By these observations I make the centre of the island to be in lat. (from sun's meridian altitude) 15 deg. 32. min. 35 sec. south, and longitude 123 cleg. 45 min. 45 sec. east, assuming Arthur's Head, W.A., to be in 115 deg. 45 min. east. My chronometers I found to be keeping excellent time, by many subsequent observations at Camden Harbour and Tien-Tsin Bay. This danger is in the direct track of vessels comiug from tho westward towards the new settlement at Camden Harbor. Sighted Cockell's Island at noon, Champagny Isles at one p.m., and anchored at seven p.m., abreast of Point Hall. I have named this discovery "Expedition Island," in consideration of our present employment in service of the West Australian Government. March 21, 1865, on my return passage, I passed, at eleven a.m., close to the island, and verified the above position. Same day, at four p.m., made Adele Island.--I am, Sir, your obedient sorvant, JOHN T. JARMAN, Master of tho barquetta Tien Tsin, of London. Hon. J. S. Roe, Surveyor
General, Westorn Australia."
