124 
A VOYAGE TO 
[ North Coast. 
1802. 
November. 
Thurs. 4. 
CHAPTER VI. 
Examination of the coast on the east side of the Gulph of Carpentaria. 
Landing at Coen River. Head of the Gulph. Anchorage at Sweers 
Island. Interview with Indians at Horse-shoe Island. Investigator s 
Road. The ship found to be in a state of decay. General remarks on 
the islands at the head of the Gulph, and their inhabitants . Astro- 
nomical and nautical observations. 
In the morning of Nov. 4> the wind was at south-east, and we steei ed 
southward, close to it, with soundings from 8 to n fathoms. Several 
land birds of the size of a pigeon, but more slender, came off to 
the ship ; when taken they fought desperately, being armed for war 
with a strong claw upon each wing. This bird had been seen at Port 
Philip on the South Coast, and belongs to the genus Tringa, being 
very nearly allied to the Tringa Goensis. At noon, the latitude 
was 1 1° 24j', longitude 14C ; and at three, a sea breeze which 
set in from south-west, enabled us to steer in for the coast of Carpen- 
taria on the east side of the Gulph ; and it came in sight from the 
mast head soon afterwards. At five, the nearest part was six or 
eight miles distant, and the extremes bore N. E. to S. S. E. ; the 
depth of water was 10 fathoms, which decreased to at dusk, 
when we anchored on a bottom of gravel and shells ; the shore being 
then distant four miles, and the extremes bearing N. 38° to S. 8°E. 
It was sandy and low, like that on the south side of Endeavour’s 
Strait, with which it is no doubt connected ; although, in a space of 
five or six leagues, our distance was too great for the land to be seen; 
behind the shore it was indifferently covered with shrubs and small 
trees, but totally destitute of any thing like a hill : fires bespoke it to 
