ADMIRALTY INSTRUCTIONS. 7 



without loss of time obtained the necessary refresh- 

 ments, you will proceed direct to Swan River ; but 

 as the severe gales which are sometimes felt at that 

 settlement may not have entirely ceased, you will 

 approach that coast with due caution. 



*' At Swan River, you are to land Lieutenants 

 Grey and Lushington, as well as to refit and water 

 with all convenient despatch ; and you are then to 

 proceed immediately to the north-west coast of 

 New Holland, making the coast in the vicinity of 

 Dampier Land. The leading objects of your 

 examination there will be, the extent of the two 

 deep inlets connected with Roebuck Bay and Cygnet 

 Bay, where the strength and elevation of the tides 

 have led to the supposition that Dampier Land is 

 an island, and that the above openings unite in the 

 mouth of a river, or that they branch off from a 

 wide and deep gulf. Moderate and regular sound- 

 ings extend far out from Cape Villaret : you will, 

 therefore, in the first instance, make that head- 

 land ; and, keeping along the southern shore of 

 Roebuck Bay, penetrate at once as far as the 

 * Beagle' and her boats can find sufficient depth of 

 water ; but you must, however, take care not too 

 precipitately to commit his Majesty's ship among 

 these rapid tides, nor to entangle her among the 

 numerous rocks with which all this part of the coast 

 seems to abound ; but by a cautious advance of 

 your boats, for the double purpose of feeling your 

 way, and at the same time of surveying, you will 

 establish her in a judicious series of stations, equally 



