1802.
October.
Monday 18.
shallow, and sandy in the deeper parts. We were steering north-west, at the rate of six knots, when new reefs were discovered, from a-head to abaft the larbord beam; upon which we clapped upon a wind to the southward, and just weathered them, passing through rippling water in 30 fathoms. Upon this occasion I felt very happy that the Lady Nelson was gone, for in all probability she could not have escaped this danger. Being now dark, it was too hazardous to stand on; and therefore, on finding a bottom of grey sand in 34 fathoms, we came to with the best bower, veered to a whole cable, and sent down the top-gallant yards. The latitude here, from a meridian altitude of the moon, was 19° 48⅓′, and the longitude 149° 13½′; there was a small drain of ebb tide from the S. by W., until eleven o'clock, but no run was perceptible afterwards.
Tuesday 19.In the morning, we saw the reef from N. ½ E. to W. ½ N., not further distant than two miles, and the northernmost of captain Cook's Cumberland Islands bore S. 56° W., about eight leagues. The wind was at E.S.E., blowing fresh; and our course was pursued along the south side of the reef till nine o'clock; when it terminated, and we steered northward twelve miles, with no soundings at 30 fathoms. Another reef was then seen, bearing from N. ½ E. to W.N.W., and obliged us to steer westward again.
The latitude at noon was 19° 35′ 15″, and longitude by time keeper 148° 47½′; four reefs then extended from E. by S. to N.W. by W., at the distance of two to five miles; the northern Cumberland Island bore S. 9° E., and the outer of two hills which I judged to be upon Cape Gloucester, S. 39½° W. This bearing, and captain Cook's latitude of the cape, would make its longitude to be 148° 26½′, or 15½′ east of what that great navigator lays it down; and it is to be observed, that from the time of passing Sandy Cape, my longitude had gradually become more eastward as we advanced along the coast. It has before been said, that captain Cook had no time keeper in his first voyage; nor did he possess many of our