Sailing directions .] TERRA AUSTRALIS. 
from Greenwich ; but his longitude at the New Hebrides, some 
days before, was 54' too far east, according to captain Cook ; and it 
is therefore most probable, that 
Diana’s Bank lies in 15 0 4 T south, 150° 25' east. 
I should steer, after passing Wreck Reef, so as to go a full 
degree to the east of this position ; and having so done, the next 
object of attention is the Eastern Fields, reefs which lie a degree 
from those where Torres’ Strait may be said to commence. The 
position to be worked is. 
Eastern Fields, north-east end, io° 2' south, 145 0 45' east; 
and from this I would pass half a degree to the eastward. But if the 
Strait should be attempted without a time keeper, it will be advisable 
for a ship to make that part of New Guinea lying in about io* south 
and 1 47!° east, which may be seen as far as twelve or fifteen leagues 
in clear weather ; and having corrected the dead-reckoning longitude 
by this land, to allow afterwards eighteen miles a day for a current 
setting to the W. N. W. The best latitude for passing the Eastern 
Fields, is g° 45' to 50', steering a W. by S. cburse, by compass ; and 
it will afterwards be proper, so long as there is daylight and no 
reefs seen, to carry all sail for the Pandora’s Entrance, which is the 
best opening yet known to the Strait. It is formed by reefs, and is 
eleven or twelve miles wide, and lies, 
Pandora’s Entrance, the middle, in 9 0 54' S., 144 0 42' E. ; 
and it is very possible, if the Eastern Fields be passed in the morn- 
ing, to get through without seeing the breakers, and obtain a sight of 
Murray’s Islands before dark. But it is most probable that reefs 
will be first met with * and should the latitude of the ship be then 
uncertain, even to 5', the wind must be hauled until an observation 
can be had, for it is by the latitude alone that the first reefs can be 
distinguished one from the other. 
The reefs being in sight and the latitude known, a ship will 
steer for the Pandora's Entrance, if she can fetch it ; but if too much 
to the north, she may pass round the north end of Portlock’s Reef, 
VOL. II. ( Pp 
289 
(Atlas, 
Plate XIJI$ 
♦ 
