1802.
October.
Thursday 28.
seen by the captains Edwards and Bligh, when entering Torres' Strait; for the north-eastern extreme lies in 10° 2′ south, and 145° 45′ east. From this position, the eastern line of the breakers extended ten or twelve miles to the S.S.W., and the single breaker afterwards seen, lies about six leagues to the W.N.W.; but how far they may be connected, or what the extent of the reefs may be to the south-west, could not be seen. In the belief that this was the first discovery of these coral banks, I called them the Eastern Fields; intending thereby to designate their position with respect to the other reefs of Torres' Strait.
Our latitude at noon was exactly that of the opening by which captain Edwards of the Pandora had entered the Strait in 1791; and which I call the Pandora's Entrance. This opening appeared to be preferable to that further northward, by which captain Bligh and Mr. Bampton had got within the reefs; more especially as it led directly for Murray's Islands, where, if possible, I intended to anchor. Our course was therefore steered west; and seeing no more reefs, it was continued until eight in the evening, at which time we hauled to the wind, having no bottom at 105 fathoms.
At daylight, after sounding ineffectually with 100 fathoms, we bore away on our western course. Two reefs were seen at six o'clock; the one bearing N. by W. ½ W. three, and the other W. by N. ½ N. four miles. They seemed to be small, and unconnected; but in all probability were parts of those which form the north side of the Pandora's Entrance, and which captain Bligh, who saw them more to the northward, named collectively, Portlock's Reef. The situation of the southernmost part, deduced from the preceding and following noons, will be 9° 48′ south, and 144° 45′ east.
After passing these reefs, our course was west, by compass; and nothing further was descried till eleven o'clock; breakers then came in sight a-head, and we hauled up north-east, till noon; when the observed latitude from both sides was 9° 36′ 55″, longitude 144° 13′, and the depth 50 fathoms on a bottom of fine, white sand. The reef was