xlii 
INTRODUCTION. [Prior Discoveries. 
58° W. At three p. m. the reefs were so numerous, that the ships 
were obliged to anchor, until the boats could sound for a passage : 
the depth here was 4- fathoms, on a bottom of rotten stones and 
coral. 
July 31. They weighed, and hauled the wind eastward, to pass 
round Turn-again Island ; bearing away occasionally to avoid small 
reefs : the soundings $~ to 4 fathoms. After passing round, they 
anchored in 5 fathoms ; until the boats should sound between the 
reefs which appeared on every side : Turn-again Island then bore 
S. 5 6° to 8 3 0 W. about two leagues, Mount Cornwallis N. 56 0 E., the 
Brothers S. 50 0 E. ; the latitude observed was 9 0 3a', and longitude 
from four sights of the sun and moon, 140 0 58' east. Next after- 
noon, in proceeding to the north-westward, the Chesterfield struck 
upon a bank in eight feet water; but the coral giving way to the 
ship, she went over without injury. In the evening, they both an- 
chored in 4^ fathoms, gravel and shells ; Mount Cornwallis bearing 
E. ~ S., and a long tract of land from N. W. by N. to N. E., at the 
distance of five or six leagues. Turn-again Island bore S. S. E. \ E. 
to S. - W., four miles ; and thither the ships ran on Aug. 3., and 
anchored in gf fathoms, fine sand, within a quarter of a mile of the 
shore ; the extremes bearing S. 58 0 E. to 6o° W. The purpose for 
which they came to this island, was to procure wood, water, and 
refreshments ; during the time necessary for the boats to explore a 
passage through the innumerable reefs and banks, which occupy 
this part of the Strait. 
Messieurs Bampton and Alt remained here seventeen days ; being 
afraid to move with the strong south-east winds which blew during 
the greater part of the time. Turn-again Island is flat, low, and 
swampy ; and about three miles in length, by half that space in 
breadth. (Mr. Bampton's chart makes it the double of these dimen- 
sions ; and, generally, the islands in it exceed the description of the 
journal in about the same proportion : the journal seems to be the 
preferable authority. ) The reefs which surround Turn-again Island, 
