COASTS OF AUSTRALIA, 
363 
nation of this part, we steered near the shore in 1820. 
order to improve it ; but the land was much over- July 26 . 
cast, and the summits of Bellenden Ker’s Range 
were so enveloped in clouds, that very little im- 
provement was effected. 
A breeze, however, in the evening from S.E. 
dispersed the vapours that had collected during 
the day on the sea horizon. In passing outside 
of Fitzroy Island, a sand bank, situated nine 
miles E.JS. from the island, was noticed, and 
other banks were reported from the mast head ; 
but on my going up, I saw nothing more than a 
bright appearance on the horizon, which is, how- 
ever, an indication of their existence that seldom 
failed in being correct, whenever an opportunity 
offered of proving it. 
Bearing up between Cape Grafton and Green 
Island, we steered N.W.|N., by compass, to 
make the Low Isles in Trinity Bay. The wea- 
ther was thick and misty with showers of rain ; 
but, as a sight of these islands was of conse- 
quence in crossing this bay, we continued to 
steer for them, and at midnight they were seen. 
This enabled us to direct the course with more 
confidence towards Cape Tribulation, over Cap- 
tain Cook’s track. 
At daylight we were off the cape, and soon 27 . 
passed to the eastward of the Hope Islands ; be- 
