196 
SURVEY OP THE INTERTROPICAL 
1822. ninety fathoms, sand, broken shells, and large 
Feb. 6. stones. 
s. On the morning of the 8th, the land was seen 
in the S.E., and soon afterwards the brig passed 
round Cape Leveque, at the distance of a mile 
and a half. On our way towards Point Swan, 
we saw from the mast-head a line of strong 
tide-ripplings, extending from the point in] a 
N.W.b.W. direction; within which we at first at- 
tempted to pass, but, finding that they were con- 
nected to the point, hauled up to steer through 
them where they seemed to be the least danger- 
ous. As we approached, the noise was terrific, 
and, although we were not more than two minutes 
amongst the breakers, yet the shocks of the sea 
were so violent, as to make me fear for the safety 
of our masts. A smaller vessel would perhaps 
have been swamped; for although the sea was in 
other parts quite smooth and the wind light, yet 
the water broke over the bows, and strained the 
brig considerably. 
We then steered between Point Swan and two 
rocky islands, lying five miles from the shore, 
over a space which, at our last visit, appeared 
to be occupied by an extensive reef, but we 
were then probably deceived by tide-ripplings. 
It was my intention to have brought up under 
