92 
SURVEY OF THE INTERTROPICAL 
1818. we should doubtless have succeeded in finding 
Aprils, some, particularly in the vicinity of the cliffs. 
Wood is abundant and convenient for em- 
barking, but the trees are generally small: the 
waters are well stocked with fish. 
As a harbour, Port Essington is equal, if not 
superior, to any I ever saw ; and from its prox- 
imity to the Moluccas and New Guinea, and its 
being in the direct line of communication between 
Port Jackson and India, as well as from its 
commanding situation with respect to the pas- 
sage through Torres’ Strait, it must, at no very 
distant period, become a place of great trade, 
and of very considerable importance. 
2 5. Early the following morning we sailed out of 
Port Essington, and passing round its western 
head, which was named out of respect to my 
friend Admiral Vashon, we hauled into a bay 
where a Malay encampment was observed upon 
the beach, with several proas at anchor close to 
it ; but, as the place offered us no inducement to 
delay, we steered round the next head, and 
hauled into another bay, apparently about four 
miles deep and two broad. The coast here ap- 
peared to take a decided turn to the southward, 
and, as some land was observed on the western 
horizon, we rightly concluded that we had reached 
the entrance of the “ Great Bay of Van Diemen,” 
