COASTS OF AUSTRALIA. 
243 
strain in bringing up was not so violent as to 3819 . 
have caused the accident, had the anchor been Ju] y 25 . 
properly made ; but to its ill shape, and being 
badly wrought, our misfortune is to be attributed. 
It was made at Port Jackson. On another occa- 
sion it might have caused the loss of the vessel ; 
but, fortunately, a few hours’ daylight, and a 
clear run before us, enabled us to proceed, and 
before sunset we passed Booby Island. A re- 
markable coincidence of our losses upon the two 
voyages has now occurred : last year, at the 
North-West Cape we lost two anchors just as we 
were commencing the survey, and now, on round- 
ing the North-East Cape, to commence our exami- 
nation of the north coast, we have encountered a 
similar loss, leaving us, in both instances, only 
one bower anchor to carry on the survey. 
Booby Island is a mere rock, the retreat of 
boobies (pelecanus sula , Linn.) and turtles, of the 
hawks-bill species. Some slight vegetation was 
perceived upon it, but it was so entirely covered 
with the excrement of birds, that it had the pa- 
pearance of being white-washed. The number 
of these birds was almost incredible, and they 
hovered over and about us as we passed, as if to 
drive us from their haunt. 
The loss of two anchors prevented our trusting 
the third while smarting under our misfortune, or 
