166 
A VOYAGE TO 
\North Coast. 
J802. nation of the islands in my whale boat. I found the cove to run 
December. 
Thursday i 6 . near two miles into the island, and there was a small rill at the head; 
but unfortunately, the depth at the entrance was insufficient for the 
ship, being no more than 2 fathoms, and in the upper part it was too 
shallow even for a boat. 
Friday 1 7. In the morning, a party of men was sent to cut wood at the 
nearest shore ; and there being a sort of beach, uncovered at low 
tide, the seine was hauled there with some success. A small drain 
of fresh water ran behind the mangroves at the back of the beach, 
and by cutting a rolling way to it, our empty casks, it was thought, 
might be filled ; but I hoped to find a better place, and went away 
in the boat, as well with that object in view as to carry on the survey. 
From the furthest part of the western island visible from the 
ship, I found the shore trending S. 73 0 W., to a point where there 
was an opening out to the westward, of a mile and a half wide and 
of considerable depth. About three leagues up the opening were 
two craggy islands ; and beyond them was more extensive land, 
which proved to be an island also, and from its situation in this group 
was called West Island. The island whose north end is Cape Pellew, 
and whose southern extremity I had now reached, was called North 
Island; and the land opposite to me, which formed the south side of 
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the opening and seemed to be extensive, is marked with the name of 
Centre Island in the chart. These lands are moderately high, and 
seemed to form several coves and small inlets, with promise of runs 
of fresh water; but the weather was too unfavourable to make much 
examination at this time, and after taking bearings from the south 
and south-east points of North Island, I returned on board. 
Saturday is. The wooding .of the ship was carried on next day; and al- 
though the weather remained squally, with frequent heavy rain, 
‘ some further bearings were obtained, and observations taken for the 
Sunday is, time keepers. In the morning of the 19th, the weather cleared, and 
I took the ship over to Cape Vanderlin ; both for the convenience of 
the survey, and to give the botanical gentlemen a better opportunity 
