22 September 1859

22nd. We are blest again with another fine morning having beat back during the night some fifty or sixty miles with a light land breeze. About 9 o'clock the ship was put round again for a fresh start. Instead of finding ourselves safely anchored in Auckland bay as was expected yesterday morning here we are with nothing but rocks and sky and sea in sight. After dinner sailing gently along within a short distance of land we could see some smoke arising from behind a hill and in a few minutes we saw the white sail of a small coasting craft perhaps a fishing smack. This thought led to the conclusion that this might be a small fishing station. We beat along until dark and coming to an entrance between two rocks and only some 4 or 5 miles wide. We did not attempt to enter not knowing what was beyond nor what might be the result of going into such danger in the dark and with a contrary wind. We put outside and continued shunting above all night but gained very little.

Booth, Thomas. Papers, 1857 - 1859. Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS 2002/56