330 historV of 



it evidently grew worse, having a still greater ten-' 

 dency to sand. The several projections of land! 

 which appeared, often presented the appearance 

 of openings behind; which hopes they were in-* 

 clined to entertain, as Capt. Cook passed this 

 part in the night. 



Early in the afternoon a small island opened 

 from a low rocky point, behind which a small 

 river run to the S. W. but breakers appeared to 

 extend nearly across the entrance. 



A peaked hill, standing four or rive miles in- 

 land, and more conspicuous than usual was seen 

 soon after three o'clock P. M. Before five, 

 the vessel stood in for an opening y and soon after 

 dusk she anchored in two and a half fathoms 

 of water on a hard bottom of sand. 



The objects in view inducing Lieut. Flinders* 

 to enter this bay were, that he ntight by day-lighfr 

 run along the remaining part of the coast, which 

 Capt, Cook had only sailed by in the night, and 

 to seek a place of safety, should the wind fail 

 him on his return. The leak in the sloop was 

 also a material inducement ; for should the place 

 prove to be of consequence enough to expend 

 ♦t few days in examining, and a place offer for 

 laying her on shore, he meant to get it stopped. 



Examining this bay in his boat, he found it 

 -very shallow ; and the North point of the en- 

 trance proved a projecting spot of sandy ground. 

 Returning to the sloop at noon, he landed on 

 the South head to observe the latitude. The 

 sun being half an hour from the meridian allow- 

 rd him time to examine three huts standing in 



