312 INNER ROUTE. 



stretches along the coast at a mean distance of about 

 30 miles from the land ; its outer edge being some- 

 times not more than 10 or 15, at others, more 

 than 100 miles distant from it. The whole of the 

 sea which lies outside the Barrier, between New 

 Caledonia and Torres Strait, is likewise encum- 

 bered with detached reefs of greater or less magni- 

 tude. From this large development of coral reefs 

 this sea was called by Flinders the Coral Sea, a name 

 which it well deserves. I have already said that 

 the whole commerce, from the eastern colonies of 

 Australia, and the southern Pacific, to the coasts of 

 India and the Indian archipelago, is almost com- 

 pelled to traverse this sea, and to pass through 

 Torres Strait. Now, in order to traverse the Coral 

 Sea and Torres Strait with any degree of safety, 

 there are two tracks, which are commonly known 

 by the names of the Inner and Outer Routes. In 

 taking the inner passage vessels enter the Barrier 

 reef at its southern extremity, and run up to the 

 northward along shore, between the reefs and the 

 land. This route was surveyed by Captain King : 

 although often narrow and intricate, it is safe, 

 because there is good anchorage the whole of the 

 way, and the reefs themselves are a perfect shelter 

 from the violence of the sea„ The outer route has 

 never yet been regularly surveyed, but is known 

 roughly from its having been traversed by whalers 

 and merchant vessels. Commencing in the parallel 

 of 25° S. lat, it runs due north between the meri- 



