COASTS OF AUSTRALIA. 
421 
the copper, for that was now our only security, ism. 
we could not venture to remove more than a few Sept. 2s. 
sheets from those parts which appeared to be the 
most suspicious, under all of which we found the 
nails so defective, that we had reason to fear we 
might start some planks before we reached Port 
Jackson, the consequence of which would un- 
questionably be fatal to the vessel and our lives. 
All that we could do to remedy the defect, was 
to caulk the water-ways and counter, and to 
nail an additional streak of copper a foot higher 
than before. This further temporary repair was 
finished by the 30th ; but we were detained until 
the 5th of October before the tide rose high Oct. 5. 
enough to float the cutter. 
During the time that the carpenter was thus 
occupied, all the crew were employed either in 
assisting him, or in cutting wood and filling 
water ; so that I had no opportunity either of 
visiting the surrounding islands, or of examining 
the country in the vicinity of the bay : but when 
the repairs were completed, and the people were 
more at leisure, I made an excursion as far as 
Bat Island, off Cape Brewster. 
From the summit of this island a set of bear- 
ings was obtained, particularly of the islands to 
the northward and westward. The ascent, on 
account of its steep and rugged nature, was very 
