Spencer's Gtdph.'l 
TERRA AUSTRALIA 
155 
north-north-east, from Cape Catastrophe ; but although nothing had 1S02. 
been seen to destroy the hopes formed from the tides and direction of mSJ'b. 
the coast near that cape, they were yet considerably damped by the 
want of boldness in the shores, and the shallowness of the water ; 
neither of which seemed to belong to a channel capable of leading 
us into the Gulph of Carpentaria, nor yet to any very great distance 
inland. 
At two o'clock the shore again took a northern direction, but 
it was still very low in front, and the depth did not materially 
increase. Land was presently distinguished on the starbord bow * 
and beam; and before four, an elevated part, called Barn Hill from 
the form of its top, bore E. 4 0 N. We continued to follow the line 
of the western shore, steering north-north-east, and north ; and the 
wind being at south, we hauled north-westward at six o'clock, 
intending to anchor under the shelter of the land. From 7 fathoms, 
the depth diminished to 5, and quickly to seventeen feet; upon 
which we veered round, ran back into 5 fathoms, and came to an 
anchor three or four miles off the shore, on a sandy bottom. The 
wind blew fresh, with rainy squalls; but a whole cable being veered 
out, we rode smoothly all night. The furthest land visible to the 
northward, consisted of detached hummocks, of which the highest 
was called Mount Toting, in honour of the admiral. Abreast of the 
ship the land rose gradually from the beach to the ridge of hills 
which still continued to run behind it ; but at this place some back 
hills were visible over the ridge ; and the highest of several hum- 
mocks upon the top, which served as a mark in the survey, was 
named Middle Mount. Observations for the time keepers were 
taken in the morning before getting under way, and the situation of Tuesday 9. 
the anchorage was found to be in 
Longitude, - 1 37° 2 7|-' 
Mount Young bore, - - N. 11 E. 
Middle Mount, - - N. 6' 2 i W. 
Low western shore, extreme, _ S. 21 W 
High eastern land, about the middle, N. 71 E. 
