Transcription

      New Wales or East Coast of New Holland

Cape Hillsborough bore S by E distant 10 Leagues & the North point of the Bay before mentioned bore South 19 degrees West distance 4 Miles. This point I have named Cape Conway (Latitude 20 degrees 30 minutes Longitude 211 degrees 28 minutes) and the bay, Repulse Bay which is formed by these 2 Capes. The greatest & least depth of Water we found in it was 13 & 8 fathoms everywhere safe Anchoring & I believe was it properly examined their would be found some good Harbouring in it especially on the North side within Cape Conway for just within the Cape lay 2 or 3 Small Islands which alone would Shelter that side of the Bay from the South-East & Southerly winds which seem to be the prevailing or Trade Winds. Among the many Islands which lay upon this Coast there is one more Remarkable than the rest being of a Small circuit, very high & peaked & lies East by South 10 Miles from Cape Conway at the Southern end of the Passage abovementioned__________
Monday 4th  Winds at SSE & SE, a Gentle breeze & Clear weather.  In the pm Steer'd thro' the passage which we found from 3 to 6 or 7 Miles broad & 8 or 9 Leagues in Length, North by West 1/2 West & South by East 1/2 East. It is form'd by the Main on the W & by Islands on the E, one of which is at least 5 Leagues in length Our Depth of Water in running thro' was between 25 & 20 fathoms everywhere good Anchorage indeed the whole passage is one Continued  safe Harbour besides a Number of small Bays & Coves on each side where ships might lay as it where in a Bason at least it appear'd to me for I did not wait to Examine it as having been in Port so lately & being unwilling to loose the benefit of a light Moon. The land both on the Main & Islands especially on the former is Tolerably high & distinguished by Hills & Vallies which are diversified with Woods & Lawns that looked green & pleasant. On a Sandy beach upon one of the Islands we saw 2 people & a Canoe with an outrigger which appeared to be both Larger & differently built to many we have seen upon the Coast. At 6 we were nearly the length of the North end of the Passage the North Westermost point of the Main in sight bore North 54 degrees West & the North end of the Island North-North-East, having an open Sea between these 2 points. We keept under an Easey Sail & the Lead going all Night having 21, 22 & 23 fathoms at the distance of 3 Leagues from the land. At daylight AM we were abreast of the point above mentioned which was a lofty promontary that I named Cape Gloucester (Latitude 19 degrees 57 minutes South, Longitude 211 degrees 54 minutes West). It may be known by an Island which lies out at Sea North by West 1/2 West 5 or 6 Leagues from it, this I called Holbourn Isle. There are also Islands laying under the land between it & Whitsundays Passage. On the West side of the Cape the Land Trends away SW & SSW & forms a deep bay. The Land in the bottom of this bay I could but just see from the Masthead; it is very low & is a Continuation of the same low land as in the bottom of Repulse Bay. Without Waiting to look into this bay which I called Edgecumbe Bay we continued our Course to the westward for the Westermost land we had in sight which bore from us West by North 1/2 North & appeared very high.

 

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