txv i INTRODUCTION. {Prior Discoveries. 
Bligh and No arrows fell on board the Providence ; but three men were 
°i792° K ' wounded in the Assistant, and one of them afterwards died : The 
depth to which the arrows penetrated into the decks and sides of the 
brig, was represented to be truly astonishing. 
The vessels passed between Dungeness and Warriours Islands, 
with from 19 to 13 fathoms ; and anchored, at four o'clock, under 
the lee of Dungeness Island and Reef. The passage to the west- 
ward then appeared clearer ; three high islands, bearing from S. 6o° 
W. three leagues, to N. 76 0 W. five leagues, forming the sole visible 
obstructions. 
Sept. 1 1 . Captain Bligh proceeded on his course to the W. N. W., 
and passed two islands, to which the descriptive names of Turtle- 
backed Island and the Cap were given ; and, soon after noon, the 
vessels anchored in 7 fathoms, soft bottom. There was a dry sand 
bearing N. 63 0 W. two or three miles ; between which, and the 
third high island, called The Brothers, bearing S. 55 0 to 69° W. three 
miles, it was judged necessary for the boats to sound, before pro- 
ceeding further. This anchorage was in latitude 9° 43', and longi- 
tude 142 0 40'; and, besides the islands already mentioned, there was 
in sight a mountainous island, to which the name of Banks was given, 
bearing S. 43 0 W., twelve or thirteen leagues; also Burke's Island, 
S. 13 0 W. eight or ten leagues; and Mount Cornwallis, on another 
island, N. 29 W. six or eight leagues ; and from behind this last, to 
N. 7 0 W., there extended a level land, which was supposed to be a 
part of the coast of New Guinea. 
Sept. 12. The vessels followed the boats to the westward; but 
were interrupted by reefs, and obliged to anchor again before noon. 
The water had shoaled gradually, and there was then only 6 fathoms: 
the bottom a coarse, coral sand. Two other islands were then in 
sight : a low one, named Turn-again Island, bore N. 53° W. about 
four leagues ; and Jervis Island, which is rather high, S. 48 0 W. nine 
leagues. A reef, with a dry sand upon it, extended from S. f E. to 
62 0 W. four or five miles ; another was distant three miles to the 
