It was high water when he landed with a party on the island and climbed to the top of its steep side.

The side near the entrance was covered with grass, although everywhere else the island was perpendicular and crumbled away by degrees into the sea.

From the highest point a beautiful view of Hunter's River, and of the surrounding islands was obtained.

Here Lieutenant Grant hoisted the Union Jack as a signal to the vessels that this was the right entrance to the river.

He thought, as have most people since, that this island had been separated from the mainland "by some violent convulsion of nature." It was named Coal Island by Colonel Paterson, but is now known as the Nobbys.