COASTS OF AUSTRALIA. 
187 
Conway, for a meridional observation and bear- lsuu 
m gs June 9 
This Cape is formed by steep rocky hills, 
rising to the height of nearly 800 feet above the 
sea ; the sides of which were so steep and so im- 
penetrably covered by a thick underwood, that we 
could not accomplish its ascent ; we were there- 
fore obliged to confine our observations to the 
beach. Tracks of natives were observed, and 
either a wrecked or a worn-out canoe, made of 
bark, was lying near the ruins of two or three 
bark huts. 
Excellent water, supplied by a stream from the 
hills, was found just within the beach, which is 
very steep, and affords easy landing. In mode- 
rate weather, a ship may water here with great 
facility. 
When we returned on board, the cutter was 
becalmed nearly abreast of Pentecost Island, 
and was rapidly drifting in a direction towards 
the west shore, on which course we soon shoaled 
the water from twenty-eight to ten fathoms. The 
vessel being quite ungovernable, the boat was 
sent a-head to tow her round, which we had 
scarcely time to do, before she was carried by 
the tide over a bank of hard sand on which the 
least water was three fathoms ; fortunately for 
us, it was nearly high water, or we should have 
