King George's Sound.} TERRA AUSTRALIS. 
55 
(Vol. I. p. 32) " lies from Cape Howe S. 68 a E., three leagues," 1801. 
could not be seen ; though it should have lain nearly in our track.* Today's' 
The wind blew fresh at this time, and a current of more than 
one mile an hour ran with us, so that, by carrying all sail, I hoped 
to get sight of King George's Sound before dark. At seven, we 
passed close on the south side of the Eclipse Isles ; but Bald Head at (Atlas, 
, r t , i , „ Plate XVII. 
the entrance or the sound had so different an appearance from what View 3.) 
I had been led to expect, being a slope in this point of view, that 
the steep east end of Break-sea Island was at first taken for it. The 
error was fortunately perceived in time ; and at eight o'clock we 
hauled up round the head, with the wind at west, and made a stretch 
into the sound. It was then dark ; but the night being fine, I did 
not hesitate to work up by the guidance of captain Vaucouver's 
chart ; and having reached nearly into a line between Seal Island and 
the first beach round Bald Head, we anchored at eleven o'clock, in 
8 fathoms, sandy bottom. 
King George's Sound had been chosen as the proper place in Wednes. 9. 
which to prepare ourselves for the examination of the south coast 
of Terra Australis, and I sought to make the best use of the advan- 
tages it might furnish. The first essential requisite was a place 
of secure shelter, where the masts could be stripped, the rigging 
and sails put into order, and communication had with the shore, 
without interruption from the elements ; but this, from captain Van- 
couver's chart and description, I did not expect the outer sound to 
afford. The facility of quitting Princess-Royal Harbour, with such 
a wind as would be favourable for prosecuting the investigation of 
the coast, induced me so far to prefer it to Oyster Harbour as to 
make it the first object of examination ; and in the morning, after 
* This islet, seen by captain Vancouver in the evening, must have been the highest of 
the Eclipse Isles ; but from the apparent difference of its situation, was thought not to be 
the same on the following morning. The change in the variation of the compass, which 
tad taken place on altering the direction of the ship's head, seems to have been the cause, 
of this apparent difference. 
VOL. I. JL I 
