COASTS OF AUSTRALIA. 
117 
rate of nearly four knots. At low water, the isis. 
next morning, the shoals were exposed, and May 20. 
shewed us the dangers we had unknowingly 
encountered in passing over them when they 
were covered. The passages between them 
were found to be so intricate that, after sounding 
them for some time, we gave up all idea of pass- 
ing out by the south entrance ; and, returning by 
the way we came, the next day anchored near 21. 
our former position in St. Asaph Bay. 
The Strait was named Apsley ; and the land 
on the western side, which had thus been proved 
to be insulated, was named in compliment to the 
Right Honourable Earl Bathurst, his Majesty’s 
Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies. 
The day following we coasted the N. W. side 22 - 
of Bathurst Island ; and, at sunset, anchored off 
a point, from which a reef projects for a consi- 
derable distance into the sea ; the next day we 
anchored off an opening at the bottom of an 23. 
extensive bay, in three and a half fathoms. 
It happened to be high water when we an- 
chored ; and, although we were three miles from 
the shore, the tide of ebb reduced the depth so 
much that there was reason to apprehend the cut- 
ter’s being left dry at low water ; the depth was, 
however, ten feet and a half, which was only 
eighteen inches more than the cutter’s draught. 
