James Cook - A Journal of the proceedings of His Majesty's Bark Endeavour on a voyage round the world, by Lieutenant James Cook, Commander, commencing the 25th of May 1768 - 23 Oct. 1770: No. 263

                                       New Wales or East Coast of New Holland

May 1770   12 & 4 am we had it Calm after which a Gentle breeze sprang up at South with which we still keept on upon a Wind to the Westward. At 7 we saw from the Masthead the Land of Sandy Cape bearing SE 1/2 E distance 12 or 13 Leagues. At 9 we discover'd from the Masthead land to the westward & soon after saw smoke upon it. Our depth of Water was now decreased to 17 fathoms & by Noon to 13 at which time we were by observation in the Latitude of 24 degrees 28 minutes South & about 7 Leagues from the Land which extended from South by West to West North West.  Longitude made from Sandy Cape 0 degrees 45 minutes West _____________
   In the few days past we have seen at times a sort of Sea fowl we have nowere seen before that I remember. They are of the sort called Boobies ____  before this day we seldom saw more than 2 or 3 at a time & only when we were near the land; last night a small flock of these birds passed the Ship & went away to the NW, & this morning from 1/2 an hour before sunrise to half an hour after flights of them were continually coming from the NNW & flying to the SSE & not one was seen to fly in any other direction. From this we did suppose there was a Lagoon, River or Inlet of Shallow Water to the Southward of us where these birds resorted to in the day to feed & that not very far to the Northward lay some Island where they retir'd to in the night ________________
Tuesday 22nd    In the pm had a gentle breeze at SE with which we stood in for the land SW until 4, when being in the Latitude of 24 degrees 36 minute South & about 2 Leagues from land in 9 fathoms we bore away along shore North West by West, at the same time we could see the land extending to the SSE about 8 Leagues. Near the sea the land is very low but inland are some moderately high hills & the whole appeared to be thickly Cloathed with wood; in running along shore we shoalded our water from 9 to 7 fathoms, & at one time had but 6 fathoms which determined one to Anchor for the Night & accordingly at 8 o'clock we came too in 8 fathoms, fine gravelly bottom about 5 Miles from the land. This evening we saw a Water Snake & 2 or 3 evenings ago one lay under the Ship's Stern some time; this was about 1/2 Yard in length & was the first we had seen. At 6 am weighed with a gentle breeze Southerly & Steer'd NW 1/4 W edging in for the land until we got within 2 Miles of it, having from 7 to 11 fathoms; we then steered NNW as the land laid at noon we were by Observation in the Latitude of 24 degrees 19 minutes South, Longitude made from Sandy Cape 1 degree. 14 minutes West.
Wednesday 23rd   Continued our Course along shore at the distance of about 2 Miles off having from 12 to 9, 8 & 7 fathoms until 5 o'clock at which time we were abreast of the South point of a large open Bay wherein I intended to Anchor. Accordingly we hauld in Close upon a Wind & sent a boat ahead to sound after making some Trips we Anchored at 8 o'clock in 5 fathoms, a Sandy bottom. The South point of the bay bore E 3/4 S distance 2 Miles the North point NW 1/4 N about 2 Miles from the Shore in the bottom of the bay.  Last night
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