218 
A VOYAGE TO 
[South Coast. 
1802. which we had before grounded; but no danger is to be feared from 
Sunday 2. these banks to a flat-floored ship. 
I find it very difficult to speak in general terms of Port Phillip. 
On the one hand it is capable of receiving and sheltering a larger 
fleet of ships than ever yet went to sea ; whilst on the other, the 
entrance, in its whole width, is scarcely two miles, and nearly half 
of it is occupied by the rocks lying off Point Nepean, and by shoals 
on the opposite side. The depth in the remaining part varies from 
6 to 12 fathoms ; and this irregularity causes the strong tides, espe- 
cially when running against the wind, to make breakers, in which 
small vessels should be careful of engaging themselves ; and when 
a ship has passed the entrance, the middle shoals are a great obstacle 
to a free passage up the port. These shoals are met with at four 
miles directly from the entrance, and extend about ten miles to the 
east-south- east, parallel with the south shore; they do not seem, 
however, to be one connected mass, for I believe there are two or 
three deep openings in them, though we had not time to make an 
examination. 
No runs of fresh water were seen in my excursions ; but Mr. 
Charles Grimes, surveyor-general of New South Wales, afterwards 
found several, and in particular, a small river falling into the northern 
head of the port. Mr. Grimes was sent by governor King, in 1803, 
to walk round, and survey the harbour ; and from his plan I have 
completed my chart of Port Phillip. The parts of the coast left 
unshaded are borrowed from him, and the soundings written at 
right angles are those of his companion, lieutenant Robbins. 
The country surrounding Port Phillip has a pleasing, and in 
many parts a fertile appearance ; and the sides of some of the hills 
and several of the vallies, are fit for agricultural purposes. It is in 
great measure a grassy country, and capable of supporting much 
cattle, though better calculated for sheep. To this general descrip- 
tion there are probably several exceptions ; and the southern penin- 
sula, which is terminated by Point Nepean, forms one, the surface 
