The Naming of the Bay.

In the far south of New Zealand lies a very lovely bay—not a simple curve in the coast line, to be seen at a glance; but a wide, intricate sound, holding many islands and islets, deep coves, and long arms stretching away into the mainland.

On a squally afternoon, one hundred and seventy years ago, Captain Cook—sailing up the south-west coast of the South Island—sighted this bay and as it appeared to be a good place wherein to anchor, the Endeavour hauled in toward the shore. But after standing for an hour, Cook decided that the distance was too great to run before dark, and the wind blew too hard to attempt it in the night, so in the gathering twilight he bore away up the coast, and named this bay he had wished to enter—Dusky Bay.

Thus, quietly, on 14th March, 1770, Dusky Bay entered New Zealand history.