IN THE COBAL SEA . 
199 
although, from the fact of this group, comparatively 
. speaking, being but little known, an extensive and 
careful survey is much needed. It was considered, 
however, unsafe to remain long amongst such people, 
and on the boats returning, it was decided to proceed 
for Torres Straits, distant 1500 miles, and having a 
capital breeze after us, the land was soon out of sight. 
During the stay off the island frequent casts of the 
trawl were made in 50 fathoms, but there was 
nothing of interest obtained. 
On the 21st we sounded in 2325 fathoms, and on 
the 24th in 2450 fathoms. We were now off the 
Louisiade Archipelago, and might fairly be said to 
have entered the Coral Sea — a most expressive and 
appropriate name for this dangerous part of the 
Pacific. Frequent soundings showed a depth vary- 
ing from 2000 to 2500 fathoms as we proceeded on 
for Raine Island, which was sighted on the 30th. 
This coral reef is nearly a mile long and about a 
quarter of a mile wide, showing some 10 feet above 
the level of the sea. It is an important guide for 
making the route through Torres Straits, and a 
beacon was erected on it some thirty years ago. 
Stretching away from here in a north-west direction 
are the Great Barrier Reefs ; which are probably the 
grandest and most extraordinary coralline structures 
existing in any part of the world. A turbulent 
spa is constantly rolling and causing a very heavy 
surf to break over the numberless islets and reefs 
