432 ARRIVAL AT THE PORT. 



surprised at daylight to find how little the ship 

 had drifted to the N. N. W. The only reason I 

 can give in explanation is that the ehb or N. W. 

 stream out of the gulf joins with, and is thrown 

 out of its course by the easterly or ebb stream 

 setting past Cape Fleming. A breeze springing up 

 late in the morning, we beat along the north side 

 of the Coburg Peninsula, entering Port Essington 

 at dusk. In working round Vashon Head, we found 

 the water shoal very rapidly to 12, 9, and 7 fathoms 

 on approaching it ; on the bearing S. 30" W. This 

 head is fronted by a reef of some extent, which 

 similar to the other at the entrance of Port Essington, 

 cannot be distinguished, owing to the muddy colour 

 of the water ; it is therefore necessary that the lead 

 should be kept constantly going when in its vicinity. 

 When daylight broke, w-e found no fresh arrival to 

 greet our anxious gaze, the Britomart being still 

 the only guardian of the port. Her solitary aspect 

 at once destroyed our hopes of supplies, and on 

 reaching the settlement our fears proved to have too 

 much foundation. Hope, however, is the last 

 feeling which leaves the human breast, and in this 

 instance did not desert us ; as there was still a 

 chance of a vessel arriving, while we were engaged 

 in watering the ship. 



The news of our discovery of the Adelaide was 

 hailed with infinite satisfaction, and the numerous 

 speculations and ideas on the subject which w^ere 

 at once afloat, afforded an ap^reeable varietv to the 



