Torres Strait. J 
TERRA AUSTRALIS. 
11 S 
Until noon, we had no soundings with from 35 to 30 fathoms 
of line, but then found broken coral and shells at the latter depth ; 
the great reefs to windward were two or three miles distant, stretch- 
ing south-west, and our situation and bearings were as under : 
Latitude observed, - 9° 53A S. 
Longitude from time keeper, - - 143 42 E. 
Murray’s Isles, the largest, highest part, S. 88^ E. 
the westernmost, highest part, - S. 8ii E. 
Darnley’s I., highest part, obscure, - N. 10 E. 
A small, low isle, - To the westward. 
Nearest reef, distant two miles, - S. 67* to N. 43 W. 
Having a fresh breeze at S. E. by E., we ran at the rate of six 
knots, following the chain of reefs lying to windward. On the other 
side, there were still very few reefs ; but several low isles were 
distinguished, similar to that seen at noon ; these were small, but 
seemingly well covered with wood, and appertain, as I judge, to the 
group called by Mr. Bampton, Cornwallis’ Range. At half past 
two, we passed between reefs one mile and a half asunder, having 
no ground at 25 fathoms ; and then the chain which had been fol- 
lowed from Murray’s Isles, either terminated or took a more southern 
direction. Another small, woody isle was then in sight, nearly in 
our track, at four it bore N. 6 f W., two-and-half miles ; and not 
seeing any other island a-head to afford shelter for the night, we 
bore away round the south end of its reef, and came to an anchor 
in 17 fathoms, coral sand. 
Cent, of the island, dist. lj- miles, bore, - S. 83° E. 
The surrounding reef, - N. 78* to S. 12 E. 
A woody isle, westmost of five seen this p. m., N. 9 W. 
A dry sand, set from the mast head, - S. W. | S. 
A boat was lowered down, and I went on shore with the 
botanical gentlemen, to look about the island. It is little better than 
a bank of sand, upon a basis of coral rock ; yet it was covered with 
shrubs and trees so thickly, that in many places they were impene- 
vol. 11. O 
1802. 
October. 
Saturday 30. 
