From Keppel Bay .] 
TERRA AUSTRALIS. 
33 
CHAPTER II. 
The Keppel Isles, and coast to Cape Manifold. A new port discovered 
and examined. Harvey’s Isles. A new passage into Shoal-water 
Bay. View from Mount We stall. A boat lost. The upper parts of 
Shoal-water Bay examined. Some account of the country and inhabi- 
tants. General remarks on the bay. Astronomical and nautical 
observations. 
The rocks and islands lying off Keppel Bay to the northward, are 
numerous and scattered without order ; two of them are of greater 
magnitude than the rest, and captain Cook had attempted to pass 
between these and the main land, from which they are distant about 
five miles ; but shoal water obliged him to desist. When we got 
under way in the morning of the 18th, our course was directed for the Wednes. is. 
outside of these two islands, and we passed within a mile of them in 
9, and from that to 13 fathoms water. They are five miles asunder, 
and the southernmost and largest is near twelve in circumference ; 
its rocky hills are partly covered with grass and wood, and the 
gullies down the sides, as also the natives seen upon the island, 
implied that fresh water was to be had there. 
At the back of the islands the main coast is low and sandy, 
with the exception of two or three rocky heads ; but at a few miles 
inland there is a chain of hills, moderately elevated and not ill 
clothed with wood. These hills are a continuation of the same 
which I had ascended on the west side of Keppel Bay, and extend 
as far as the two peaks behind Cape Manifold. 
After passing the Keppel Isles we steered for a small opening 
in the coast, seven or eight miles to the north-west, and the Lady 
Nelson was directed to lead in ; but on her making the signal for 3 
vol. ir. F 
1802. 
August. 
