194 
A VOYAGE TO 
[ North Coast. 
1803 . the same mixture of sand-stone and quartz, as at North-west Bay ; 
January. 
Tuesday is. broken coral and sand formed the beaches ; and some fresh turtle 
tracks being there perceived, and the appearance of the weather 
being unfavourable, it induced me to remain at anchor all night ; 
but only one turtle was procured. 
Wednes. 19. In the morning we had a north-east wind, and after passing 
round a shoal which runs one or two miles from the south-west end 
of the Bustard Isles, hauled up to weather Bickerton’s Island ; but 
owing to a tide setting to leeward it was not a ccomplished before 
two in the afternoon. Soon after three we got to anchor one mile 
from the south side of Burney’s Island, in ^ fathoms, mud and 
shells ; and I went on shore with the botanists. 
This island is moderately high, rocky, and barren, yet thickly 
covered with the eucalyptus and casuarina. From the highest rock 
on the south-east side, I took bearings of the objects in sight ; and 
amongst them set 
Wedge Rock, the north extreme, at - N. 83° 5 o' E. 
Chasm Island, north extreme, - - S. 79 55 E. 
Pandanus Hill, the last station, - S. 53 5 E. 
I afterwards got through the wood, intending to set the objects 
lying to the north and westward ; but no clear place could be 
found for placing the theodolite. A small bay was observed on the 
north-west side of the island, which might be convenient for boats ; 
and from the steep declivity of the land round it, there seemed a 
probability that fresh water might be procured at this season. The 
stone of this island is the same as that of the Bustard Isles ; and the 
Indians had visited both. A set of azimuths, observed at the same 
station whence the bearings were taken, gave variation 2 0 30' east ; 
but on board the ship, with the head N. E. by E., Mr. Flinders 
observed o° 23' east, with three compasses, which would be 2 0 o' 
corrected ; whence it should seem, that the stone of the island had 
some att; action on the south end of the needle. 
Thursday 20. In the morning, we steered S. W. to take up the survey of the 
