VOYAGE OF "BOUNTY'S" LAUNCH 99 



to enforce constant bailing ; and there were frequent heavy rains, 

 which at any rate enabled the unhappy men to catch drinking 

 water. The rough weather continued till 26th May, and in all 

 the twenty-four days the only addition to the food supply con- 

 sisted of three small birds, two boobies and a noddy. As the 

 boat approached Australia, birds became comparatively plentiful. 

 On 2%th May, the boat touched the BARRIER REEF, but a passage 

 was found in 12 51'. The mainland of AUSTRALIA was sighted, 

 as well as an island, which Bligh named DIRECTION ISLAND. (SEE 

 MAP C.) 



This region is thus described by Bligh : 



" As we advanced within the reefs, the coast began to show itself very distinctly 

 as a variety of high and low land, some parts of which were covered with wood. In 

 our way towards the shore, we fell in with a point of a reef which is connected with 

 that towards the sea [the shoals south of CHAPMAN ISLAND, which are almost connected 

 with the ' FREDERICK PATCHES ' to the east. R. L. J.] and here we came to a grapnel, 

 and tried to catch fish, but had no success. The ISLAND DIRECTION at this time 

 lay about 4 miles to the W. by N. and appeared eligible for a resting-place, if for nothing 

 more ; but on our approaching to the nearest island [Ashton Rock ? R. L. J.] it 

 proved to be only a heap of stones, and its size too inconsiderable to shelter the boat. 

 We therefore proceeded to the next [RocKY ISLAND, 130 feet high, and presumably 

 what Bligh named Direction Island, from the circumstance of its being where he 

 picked up his bearings. R. L. J.], which was close to it and towards the main. On 

 the north-west side of this island, I found a bay, and a fine sandy point to land at. 

 Our distance was about a quarter of a mile from a projecting part of the main [ViLLis 

 POINT ? R. L. J.], which bore from SW. by S. to NNW.fW., we landed [presumably 

 on the mainland south of Villis Point. R. L. J.] to examine if there were any signs 

 of the natives. . . . We saw some old fireplaces, but nothing to make me apprehend 

 that this would be an unsafe situation." 



The tide was low, and by this time it was nearly dark. Oysters 

 were found, and some of the party spent the night on shore. 



Next morning (29^ May), the boat passed what is now known 

 as CAPE DIRECTION, and ran the chord of the arc of LLOYD BAY 

 (20 miles), making for the furthest visible point of land, which 

 proved on closer acquaintance to be an island. Bligh took its 

 latitude at noon, 12 39' (12 373-' really, but near enough for 

 identification). (SEE MAP B.) The men dug and got water ; 

 found oysters in abundance ; made a fire with a magnifying glass ; 

 and indulged in a generous stew of oysters and palm tops. 

 " This day," says Bligh, " being the anniversary of the restora- 

 tion of King Charles II, and the name not being inapplicable to 

 our present situation (for we were restored to fresh life and 

 strength), I named this RESTORATION ISLAND." 



Being now, as he thought, in a land flowing with water and 

 edibles, Bligh felt himself justified in distributing the remainder 

 of the pork. Next morning ($oth May), after prayers, he resumed 

 the voyage to the north. As the men bent to the oars, they saw, 

 on the mainland, a crowd of NATIVES, who were armed with spears 



