1802.
April.
go through the water. We had no chance of clearing the land on the other tack; and therefore our sole hope was, that the coast might not trend any further to the southward.
Wednes. 21.At two in the morning, the strength of the gale obliged us to take in the fore and mizen top sails and main sail; and we had soundings in 45 fathoms, small stones. Our anxiety was great until daylight, when it was dissipated by not finding any land near us; and in the course of the morning the wind moderated, the barometer began to ascend, and the weather became even fine. Our latitude at noon was 39° 10½′ and longitude 144° 22′;(Atlas.
Plate VI.) the last being 22′ more than given by the log. High land was then visible astern, extending from about N. 50° to 17° W., at the supposed distance of twelve or fifteen leagues.
We were now entered into Bass' Strait; and the subsiding of the sea made me suspect that the large island, concerning which I had made inquiry of captain Baudin, was to windward. The south part of this island was discovered by Mr. Reid, in a sealing expedition from Port Jackson; and before quitting New South Wales in 1799, I had received an account of its lying to the north-west of Hunter's Isles. It afterwards appeared, that the northern part was seen in January 1801, by Mr. John Black, commander of the brig Harbinger, who gave to it the name of King's Island.[1] Of this I was ignorant at the time; but since it was so very dangerous to explore the main coast with the present south-west wind, I was desirous of ascertaining the position of this island before going to Port Jackson, more especially as it had escaped the observation of captain Baudin.
Thurs. 22. Our soundings in the afternoon, and until four in the morning when we tacked to the westward, were from 35 to 28 fathoms, sand and shells. At eight o'clock, land was seen to the south-west; and at noon our- ↑ Grant's Voyage to New South Wales, page 86.
