TERRA AUSTRALIS. 
2f)l 
Sailing directions 
reefs, Half-way Island, which is the southernmost of them, will be 
seen to the south-west ; and here I would recommend the ship to 
anchor for the night. If this island can be passed, however, before 
three in the afternoon, and the sun do not obscure the sight, she 
may push on south-westward till an hour before sunset; and anchor 
under the lee of any of those sand banks which lie in the route, the 
ground being better here than in the eastern part of the Strait. 
From Half-way Island, continue .to follow the Investigator’s 
track, steering S. W. to S. W. by W. by compass, as the small reefs 
and banks will allow ; and here there is no necessity for a boat to 
be kept a-head. The flat top of one of the York Isles, called Mount 
Adolphus by captain Bligh, will be the first high land seen, and after- 
wards Mount Ernest; the cross bearings of which will show the situa- 
tion on the chart, until the Double Isle, which makes as two small hum- 
mocks, comes in sight. Steer then for Double Isle, pass on the north 
side, and haul south-westward for Wednesday Island, which will be 
three leagues distant. Pass it also on the north side, about one mile, 
and the same by Hammond’s Island, which lies next to it. There will 
be an extensive reef on the starbord hand, but the smallest distance 
between it and the islands is above two miles; and a W. S. W. 
course by compass, will lead fair through the passage, with sound- 
ings from 9 to 6 fathoms. Booby Isle will presently be seen a-head, 
appearing at first like a white sand bank; it may be passed within 
a mile or two on either side, and is the last of the dangers, if it can 
be classed under them, of Torres’ Strait. A ship should afterwards 
steer, by compass, W.byS. thirty or forty miles; and the course 
may then be directed for any part of the world. 
In case the approach of night, or any other circumstance should 
make it desirable, shelter may be had under the Prince of Wales’ 
Islands, or under Booby Isle ; and if a boat be sent on shore at dusk 
to Booby Isle, many birds, and perhaps some turtle may be procured. 
This passage through Torres' Strait will occupy from three to 
live days, according to the freshness of the south-east tiade, and the 
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