244 
SURVEY OF THE INTERTROPIC AL 
1819. we should have anchored under Booby Island, to 
Jui7i5. } lave obtained some sights for the time-keepers, 
as well as to have furnished the crew with a fresh 
meal of turtle. 
Eleven weeks had now elapsed since leaving 
Port Jackson; during which time I had been 
able to lay down the different projections of the 
coast, and our track within the barrier reefs be- 
tween the Percy Islands and Cape York ; besides 
having surveyed Port Macquarie, examined 
Rodd’s Bay, and constructed our boat at Endea- 
vour River. 
Until we passed Cape Grafton the weather was 
generally fine and favourable for our purpose; 
but, between that Cape and Torres Strait, it had 
been thick and cloudy, with frequent rain ; which 
not only increased the danger of the navigation, 
but also considerably retarded our progress; 
and, from the continual dampness of the cabins 
below, which, from the small size of the vessel, 
and our not possessing the advantage of a stove 
to dry them, it was impossible to prevent, occa- 
sioned much sickness ; but fortunately it was 
checked by our reaching a more salubrious cli- 
mate. The attention I was obliged to pay to the 
invalids, took up a great deal of my time, which 
ought to have been otherwise and more advanta- 
geously employed in the object of the voyage. 
