Shoal-water Bay.] 
TERRA AUSTRALIS. 
51 
shelving flats from the shores are also soft ; and with the mangroves, 
which spread themselves from high water at the neaps, up in the 
country to the furthest reach of the spring tides, in some places for 
miles, render landing impossible in the upper parts of the bay, ex- 
cept at some few spots already noticed. 
Were an English settlement to be made in Shoal- water Bay, 
the better soil round Pine Mount and the less difficulty in landing 
there, would cause that neighbourhood to be preferred. There is 
not a sufficient depth at low water, for ships to go into the West 
Bight, by the south side of Aken’s Island, and the north side was no 
otherwise sounded than in passing ; but there is little doubt that the 
depth on the north side is adequate to admit ships, and that some 
parts of the bight will afford anchorage and good shelter. 
The tides do not run strong in Shoal-water Bay, the rate sel- 
dom exceeding one knot ; but they stir up the soft mud at the bot- 
tom, and make the water thick, as in Keppel Bay. I am not able to 
speak very accurately of the rise in the tide ; but it may be reckoned 
at twelve or fourteen feet at the neaps, and from seventeen to eighteen 
at the springs. High water takes place about ten. hours and a half 
after the moon’s passage ; but on the east side of the bay, the flood 
runs up a full hour later. 
The latitude of the north-east end of Aken’s 
Island, from an observation in the artifi- 
cial horizon, is - 22° si' 35" south. 
Longitude from twelve sets of distances of 
the sun and moon, taken by lieutenant 
Flinders, and reduced to the same place, 
150* 18' 45"; but from the survey, and 
the position afterwards fixed in Broad 
Sound, it is preferably - - 150 15 o east. 
Variation from azimuths taken with a theo- 
dolite at the same place, cp 48' ; but the 
bearings on the top of the eminence 
1802 . 
September. 
