PASSAGE OF THE ASP. 53 



believe will be found in abundance within a few miles of the coast. 

 I have no doubt also that this port will become celebrated for 

 shipbuilding, possessing, as it does, timber of the highest quality 

 for such purposes, and favourable positions for building, as well 

 as for the construction of docks. 



" The country is capable of affording all the tropical, as well 

 as a considerable portion of European produce, and will be found 

 highly favourable for the breeding of stock ; indeed, I believe I 

 am correct in stating that numerous parties, with stock to a very 

 large amount, are now within a short distance of Port Curtis, 

 taking up stations, not only with a view to the supply of the 

 projected settlement, but also to the shipment of wool, tallow, 

 &c. direct to England." 



A few days after our arrival at Port Curtis, the 

 Asp, as our decked boat had been named, joined us, 

 having- made an important addition to the surveys 

 of this portion of the coast. On his passag^e up 

 from Brisbane, Lieut. Dayman, under the unex- 

 pected circumstances of finding- that the Kattlesnake 

 had sailed, instead of coasting along- the eastern 

 side of Great Sandy Island, thus involving- the 

 necessity of rounding- Breaksea Spit, determined 

 upon trying the passage between that island and the 

 mainland leading into Hervey's Bay; this he fortu- 

 nately succeeded in accomplishing, although under 

 difiiculties which his sketch (since published by the 

 Admiralty), will lessen to those who may require 

 to use the same previously little known channel. 



Port Cui'tis, comprising a space of about ten 

 miles in length, is enclosed between Facing Island 

 on the east, or to seaward, Curtis Island on the north, 

 and the shores of the main land on the western side. 



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