50 HEIGHT OF TIDE. 



The height of the tide just hereabouts is very re- 

 markable. A similar occurrence is found on the 

 North-west coast of Australia, about Cambridge Gulf 

 and Buccaneer's Archipelago. In each case the great 

 rise and fall extends only over a limited space. At 

 Cape Palmerston, for instance, the rise is from 24 

 to 30 feet, while at Port Bowen to the south, and at 

 Port Molle to the north, the rise and fall is only 

 16 feet. At Port Bowen the flood tide comes from 

 the south, while at Broad Sound, and thence to the 

 northward, the flood tide comes from the north. It is 

 probable, then, that the meeting of the two streams 

 of flood causes the tides to have such a height in the 

 intermediate space. The great gap in the Barrier 

 reefs, where Flinders passed out, a little north of 

 Cape Upstart, is probably the cause of the northerly 

 flood between that point and Broad Sound ; the tide 

 wave finding a readier access through that space 

 into the inner belt of water than from the southward 

 through the rocks and shoals of the Percy and 



while life might always be supported by oysters and shell-fish, 

 and the fresh water so frequently found near the coast between 

 Sandy Cape and Cape York. Escaped convicts might ultimately 

 take refuge among the islands of Torres Strait, where they 

 would be well received by the natives, and where they might 

 assemble perhaps in sufficient numbers to seize a vessel passing 

 through, or by going up the Gulf of Carpentaria, would find a 

 refuge amongthe Bugis, who come there in January for trepang. 

 A post at Cape York would obviate much of the risk of escape, 

 but not all, as, if the convicts were aware of it, they might pass 

 it in the night. 



