70 
1802. 
September. 
Saturday 25. 
Sunday 20. 
Monday 27. 
A VOYAGE TO [ East Coast. 
the shoals as before, did not reach our former anchorage until next 
day. On landing at the tents, I found, to my no less surprise than 
regret, that the time keepers had again been let down ; and no more 
than one day’s rates had been since obtained. Twenty-five sets of 
distances of the sun and moon had been taken to correspond with an 
equal number on the opposite side ; and it appeared that lieutenant 
Flinders being intent upon these, had forgotten to wind up the time 
keepers on the 22 d at noon. 
This fresh difficulty was very embarrassing. To go away for 
Torres’ Strait and the Gulph of Carpentaria without good rates, was 
to cripple the accuracy of all our longitudes ; and on the other hand, 
the expected approach of the contrary monsoon on the North Coast 
admitted of no longer delay in Broad Sound. On comparing the 
last day’s rates with those of the four days previously obtained, the 
letting down did not appear to have produced any material altera- 
tion ; and I therefore determined to combine the whole together, 
and to sail immediately. 
The following day was occupied in completing the holds with 
wood, taking on board our shore establishment, and preparing for 
sea ; and next morning we steered down Broad Sound, with the 
Lady Nelson in company, keeping near the western side to avoid 
the middle shoals. On a sea breeze coming in at north, we tacked 
towards the North-point Isles ; and at sunset, the flood tide having 
then made, anchored in 8 fathoms , upon a bottom of sand and rock, 
the north- westernmost isle bearing N. 6° E., two leagues. In the 
morning we passed round the North-point Isles, with a breeze from 
the south-east ; and thus quitted Broad Sound, steering off for the 
outermost and largest of the Northumberland Islands. 
There remains little to be said upon the navigation of Broad 
Sound, more than what has been related of our courses in it, and 
what will be found in the chart. The western channel, between the 
Flat Isles and the main, is not to be recommended ; but after steer- 
ing up the middle of the Sound and passing these isles, the western 
