290 
A VOYAGE TO 
[Torres’ Strait. 
and haul up S. W. for Murray’s Islands, which are visible eight or 
ten leagues from the deck in fine weather. ( See View No. 10 in Plate 
XVIII. of the Atlas.) It is best to approach these islands from the 
N. E. by N., following the Investigator’s track, and to anchor the 
first night on the north side of the largest island, or otherwise under 
the reefs which lie to the north-east; but if neither can be reached 
before dark, haul to the wind and make short trips till daylight, in 
the space between these reefs and Portlock’s Reef. 
Murray’s Islands should not be passed, or quitted if the ship 
have anchored there, later than ten or eleven o’clock in the morning ; 
because the sun will be getting a-head and obscure the sight before 
another good anchorage can be secured. On passing the islands, 
keep the reef which lies five miles to the north about a mile on the 
starbord hand, steering W. — S. by compass, with a boat a-head; for 
in this part there are many tide ripplings scarcely to be distinguished 
from the reefs. Having passed the ripplings, haul a point more to 
the southward ; and after having run eight or ten miles, from the 
time that the largest island bore south, there will be very few reefs 
to the northward, and Darnley’s Island will be seen. On the lar- 
bord hand there will be a great mass of reefs ; and these it is neces- 
sary to follow at the distance of two or three miles, steering mostly 
W. S. W., and gradually more southward as they are found to trend. 
Some small patches will occasionally be met with ; but having the 
boat to go a-head, and the commander, or a careful officer looking out 
aloft, the Investigator’s track between them may be safely followed. 
The leading mark in all this part of the course, is the line of the 
great south-eastern reefs; and the situation of the ship may be 
known at any time, by laying down cross bearings of Murray s 
and Darnley’s Islands on the chart, allowing, if the ship’s head 
be westward and the compass on the top of the binnacle, 5 0 of 
east variation. 
Several low, woody isles will come in sight a-head, or on the 
starbord bow ; and before reaching the end of the south-eastern 
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