BEARINGS FOR THE HARBOUR. 383 



eastern shore, a low sandy tongue of land called 

 Point Record. This name was given to it on the 

 occasion of Port Essinston and the contiijuous 

 country, being taken possession of by Sir Gordon 

 Bremer when on his way to settle Melville Island, 

 in 1824. A bottle containing an account of their 

 proceedings was buried, and hence the name. The 

 same cause which influences the tides, has rendered 

 the sides of the narrow^ channel very steep, and a 

 vessel standing towards the bank fronting Spear 

 Point, should, accordingly, tack when the water 

 shoals to nine fathoms, as the soundings in ap- 

 proaching that part fronting Port Record are 12, 9, 

 7, and 2 fathoms. 



Beyond these points, the harbour again widens 

 and forms a large basin nearly five miles in extent ; 

 but from a broad point projecting two miles from the 

 south-east side, the inner harbour is proportionably 

 decreased in size. From the extreme of this cliffy 

 point, called by Captain King, from its position. 

 Middle Head, a narrow bank extends some distance 

 in the direction of Point Record, forming the only 

 danger in this part of the harbour. From its 

 outer edge. Point Record bears north, and the N. E. 

 part of Middle Head, S. lQ>" E. These and other 

 bearings recently given, will perhaps be considered 

 of little value by the general reader, but as they 

 were required to take the Beagle into Port Essing- 

 ton, they will be found useful to others for the same 

 purpose. 



