which we gave the name of our Commander, Dentrecaſteaux. About ſeven o'clock in the evening we caſt anchor in a bottom of blackiſh mud mixed with ſhells, at the depth of 22½ fathoms.
We were in lat. 43° 20′ S.; long. 145° 10′ E.
The Eſperance was appriſed of our having caſt anchor by a ſignal from the main-maſt, and did the ſame at the diſtance of about 1,000 toiſes from us.
The ſlighteſt agitation produced a great degree of phoſphoreſcence in the ſea, during the whole night.
Very violent ſqualls, accompanied with rain, obliged us to pay out our cable, and unbend our top-gallant gear.
18th. The darkneſs of the ſky kept us impatiently awaiting the moment when we could enjoy the beautiful proſpect of the immenſe bay which forms the entrance of Strait Dentrecaſteaux. At length the horizon cleared up. Whereever the eye could reach the coaſt was indented with ſpacious bights in the land, where navigators, driven by ſtreſs of weather, might fly for ſhelter with ſecurity. We ſurveyed with aſtoniſhment the immenſe extent of theſe harbours, which might eaſily contain the combined fleet of all the maritime powers of Europe. The right foreland of the ſtrait bore S. 43° W.
