East Coast, Sf V.D. 's Land.] INTRODUCTION. cxc 
it but too well merited. On the south side of the entrance, which Flinders. 
is the deepest, there is ten feet at low water ; and within side, the 
depth is from 2 to 4 fathoms in a channel near the south shore : the 
rest of the bay is mostly occupied by shoals, over which boats can 
scarcely pass when the tide is out. High water appeared to take 
place about seven hours after the moon's passage ; at which time, a ship 
drawing not more than fourteen feet might venture in, if severely 
pressed. Shoal Bay is difficult to be found, except by its latitude, which 
is 29 0 26|-' ; but there is on the low land about four leagues to the 
southward, a small hill somewhat peaked, which may serve as a mark 
to vessels coming from that direction. 
July 12. The morning was employed in examining the bay, and 
in looking round the country. The sloop had sprung a bad leak, and 
I wished to have laid her on shore ; but not finding a convenient 
place, nor any thing of particular interest to detain me longer, we 
sailed at one o'clock, when the tide began to rise. Cape Byron, in 
latitude 28 0 38', and the coast for twelve miles to the north and 
south, were passed on the 13th ; but no particular addition or cor- 
rection could be made to captain Cook's chart. At Moreton Bay, 
further on, that navigator had left it in doubt whether there were any 
opening ; and therefore we closed in again with the land at Point 
Look-out, on the 14th. At noon, the point bore S. 42 0 E., three or 
four miles, and a small flat islet E. 3 0 N three miles ; the opening 
in Moreton Bay was then evident, and bore W. N. W. It is small, 
and formed by two sandy points, beyond which a large extent of 
water was visible. Our latitude at this time, was 27° 24', giving that 
of Point Look-out to be 27 0 27' south. Captain Cook says it is " in 
" latitude 27 0 6' ;"* a difference which probably arose from his having 
allowed for a strong northern current during the run of four or five 
hours from the preceding noon, whereas, in reality, none existed ; 
for his course and distance by log, from the noon's observation 
would give the point in its true latitude. 
* HmvkeswortKs Voyages, Vol III. page 119. 
