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. 285

[Page 285]
New Wales or east Coast of New Holland

July 1770 [In margin is written:] Endeavour River) to Sea as far as I could see with any glass some just appeared above water. The only hope I have of getting clear of them is to the Northwd, where there seems to be a Passage for as the Wind blows constantly from the SEt we shall find it difficult if not impractical to return to the Southward.
Sunday 1st [August 1770] Gentle breezes at the SEt & Cloudy wear, with some Gentle Showers in the morning, PM the People return'd from hauling the Sean having caught as much fish as came to 2 1/2 pounds/Man no one onbd having no more than another the few Greens we got I caused to be boiled among the Pease & makes a very good Mess which together with the fish is a great refreshmt to the People. AM a party of Men one from each Mess went again a fishing & all the rest I gave leave to go into the Country knowing that there was no danger from the Natives. Today at Noon the Thermometer in the Shade rise to 87o which is 2 or 3 Degrees higher than it hath been on any day before.
Monday 2nd Do [ditto] wr PM the fishing party caught as much fish as came to 2 lb[?] a Man those that were in the Country met with Nothing New, early in the AM I sent the Master in the Pinnace out of the Harbour to sound about the Shoals in the Offing & to look for a Channel to the Northwd, at this time we had a breeze of wind from the land which continued till abt 9 what makes me mention it is because it is the first land breeze we have had since we have been in the River, at low water lashed some empty Casks under the Ships bows being in some hopes of floating her the next high Water & sent some hands a fishing while others were employ'd in refitting the Ship.
Tuesday 3rd Winds at SEt Fore & Middle[Indecipherable] gentle breeze the remainder a fresh gale in the evening the fishing Party returned havg got as much fish as came to 2lb[?] a man at high water we attempted to heave the Ship off but did not succeed, at Noon the Master returned & reported he had found a Passage out to Sea between the Shoals which Passage lies out ENEt or EbN from the River mouth he found these shoals to Consist of Coral Rocks he landed upon one wch drys at low Water where he found very large Cockles & a Variety of other Shell fish a quantity of which he brought away with him, he told me that he was 5 Leags out at Sea havg at that distance 21 fam water and Judg'd himself to be witht all the Shoals which I very much doubted, after this he came in Shore & Stood to the Northward where he met with a Number of Shoals laying a little distance from the Shore, about 9 in the evening he landed in a Bay about 3 Leags to the Northward of this Place where he disturbed some of the Natives whom he supposed to be at