2 SURVEY OF THE INTERTROPICAL 
the western route, as it is called ; that is, by 
passing either through Bass’ Strait, or round 
Van Diemen’s Land, and steering up the West 
Coast. In doing this, the vessel would, doubt- 
less, have to encounter much bad weather; and, 
on her arrival might, probably, be more fit to 
return than to commence the survey of a dan- 
gerous and an unknown coast. The passage 
to the northward, through Torres Strait, would 
have been, on all accounts, the most advisable 
route, had the season been more advanced; 
and, indeed, it would have been even better to 
wait until March for that purpose ; but this 
would be a loss of time in which much might 
be effected, were we only fortunate enough to 
make the western passage without accident: under 
all these circumstances, I was induced to prefer 
the route of Bass’ Strait, rather than remain idle, 
after the vessel was completed. 
Before we left Port Jackson, His Excellency 
the Governor was made acquainted with my in- 
tended mode of proceeding ; that, having passed 
Bass’ Strait to King George the Third’s Sound, 
I should there complete my water and fuel : then, 
by steering up the West Coast, to commence 
my survey at the North-West Cape, and exa- 
mine the coast easterly until the westerly mon- 
