7 ^ 
SURVEY OF THE INTERTROPICAL 
1821. rocks; but on my return the tide was higher, 
Aug^. 10. and I pulled about one mile up the northernmost 
inlet, where I was again stopped by the shoalness 
of the water. All these places must afford abun- 
dance of fresh water during the rainy season, 
and perhaps are seldom without; and, as this 
was a year of unusual drought, it is not impro- 
bable that the river in which we w’^atered gene- 
rally afforded a very considerable stream ; if so, 
from its proximity to the anchorage, the bay is of 
great importance, and is an excellent place for 
refreshment: turtle might be procured at the 
islands in its vicinity, and abundance of very 
fine fish at the sandy beach: the anchorage is. 
safe in all parts, being protected from the sea 
by the islands in the offing, which front the bay. 
There is also abundance of wood, that may be 
cut close to the water-side. 
Ships detained during the westerly monsoon, 
as far to leeward as the meridian of 125 '', would 
find an advantage in putting into Hanover Bay, 
and remaining there until the wind should veer 
round : by which they would avoid the necessity 
of beating to windward, over such dangerous 
ground as extends between this part to Timor ; 
and, by being to the southward, out of the 
strength of the westerly winds, at the latter 
end of February and beginning of March, when 
