244 
A VOYAGE TO 
{North Coast. 
1803. 
March. 
'Friday 4. 
Saturday 5 
At davlight we steered for a low rockv island, seven or eight 
miles to the W. M. W., where I took angles from the iron-stone rocks 
at its south end, and Mr. Bauer examined the vegetable productions. 
To the S. S. W., about five miles, was a woody point, on the east 
side of which no land was visible; and the depth of water in coming 
across from Low Islet having been as much as 10 fathoms, it left a 
suspicion that a river might fall into the south-west corner of the 
bay, and induced me to row over to the point. The soundings 
diminished from 5 to 3 fathoms ; in which depth the, boat being 
brought to a grapnel, I found the latitude to be 12 0 so' 27", from 
observations to the north and south, and set Low Islet E. 7 0 S. by a , 
pocket compass. 
From thence to the point the water was shallow, and the open 
space proved to be a shoal bight, with very low land at the back. 
After I had taken bearings, to ascertain the position of the point and 
form this side of the bay, we returned northward, passing on the 
west side of the rocky island ; and the ship having arrived at the 
appointed station, got on board at eight o’clock in the evening. 
On laying down the plan of this extensive bay, I was .some- 
what surprised to see the great similarity of its form to one marked 
near the same situation in the Dutch chart. It bears no name ; but 
as not a doubt remains of Tasman, or perhaps some earlier navigator, 
having explored it, I have given it the appellation of the land in which 
it is situate, and call it Arnhem Bay. So far as an extent of secure 
anchoring ground is concerned, it equals any harbour within my 
knowledge; there being more than a hundred square miles of space 
fit for the reception of ships, and the bottom seemed to be every 
where good. Of the inducements to visit Arnhem Bay, not much can 
be said. Wood is plentiful at all the shores, and the stream which 
ran down the hills at Mallison’s Island would have supplied us con- 
veniently with water, had it been wanted ; but in three months after- 
wards it would probably be dried up. In the upper parts of the bay 
the shores are low, and over-run with mangroves in many places ; 
but near the entrance they may be approached by a ship, and there 
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