Towards Torres’ Strait .] TERRA AUSTRALIS 107 
seen by the captains Edwards and Bligh, when entering Torres’ 
Strait ; for the north-eastern extreme lies in io° 2' south, and 145 0 Thursday 28. 
45' east. From this position, the eastern line of the breakers ex- 
tended ten or twelve miles to the S. S. W., and the single breaker 
afterwards seen, lies about six leagues to the W. N. W. ; but how 
far they may be connected, or what the extent of the reefs may be to 
the south-west, could not be seen. In the belief that this was the 
first discovery of these coral banks, I called them the Eastern Fields; 
intending thereby to designate their position with respect to the 
other reefs of Torres’ Strait. 
Our latitude at noon was exactly that of the opening by which 
captain Edwards of the Pandora had entered the Strait in 1791 ; and 
which I call the Pandora’s Entrance. This opening appeared to be 
preferable to that further northward, by which captain Bligh and 
Mr. Bampton had got within the reefs ; more especially as it led 
directly for Murray’s Islands, where, if possible, I intended to anchor. 
Our course was therefore steered west ; and seeing no more reefs, 
it was continued until eight in the evening, at which time we hauled 
to the wind, having no bottom at 105 fathoms. 
At daylight, after sounding ineffectually with 100 fathoms, we 
bore away on our western course. Two reefs were seen at six o’clock; 
the one bearing N. by W. \ W. three, and the other W. by N. ~N. 
four miles. They seemed to be small, and unconnected ; but in all 
probability were parts of those which form the north side of the 
Pandora’s Entrance, and which captain Bligh, who saw them more 
to the northward, named collectively, Portlock’s Reef. The situation 
of the southernmost part, deduced from the preceding and following 
noons, will be 9" 48' south, and 144 0 45' east. 
After passing these reefs, our course was west, by compass ; and 
nothing further was descried till eleven o’clock ; breakers then came 
in sight a-head, and we hauled up north-east, till noon ; when the ob- 
served latitude from both sides was 9 0 36' 55", longitude 144° 13', and 
the depth 50 fathoms on a bottom of fine, white sand. The reef was 
