from Greenwich; but his longitude at the New Hebrides, some days before, was 54′ too far east, according to captain Cook; and it is therefore most probable, that
Diana's Bank lies in 15° 41′ south, 150° 25′ east.
I should steer, after passing Wreck Reef, so as to go a full degree to the east of this position; and having so done, the next object of attention is the Eastern Fields, reefs which lie a degree(Atlas,
Plate XIII.) from those where Torres' Strait may be said to commence. The position to be worked is,
Eastern Fields, north-east end, 10° 2′ south, 145° 45′ east;
and from this I would pass half a degree to the eastward. But if the Strait should be attempted without a time keeper, it will be advisable for a ship to make that part of New Guinea lying in about 10° south and 147¼° east, which may be seen as far as twelve or fifteen leagues in clear weather; and having corrected the dead-reckoning longitude by this land, to allow afterwards eighteen miles a day for a current setting to the W.N.W. The best latitude for passing the Eastern Fields, is 9° 45′ to 50′, steering a W. by S. course, by compass; and it will afterwards be proper, so long as there is daylight and no reefs seen, to carry all sail for the Pandora's Entrance, which is the best opening yet known to the Strait. It is formed by reefs, and is eleven or twelve miles wide, and lies,
Pandora's Entrance, the middle, in 9° 54′ S., 144° 42′ E.;
and it is very possible, if the Eastern Fields be passed in the morning, to get through without seeing the breakers, and obtain a sight of Murray's Islands before dark. But it is most probable that reefs will be first met with; and should the latitude of the ship be then uncertain, even to 5′, the wind must be hauled until an observation can be had, for it is by the latitude alone that the first reefs can be distinguished one from the other.
The reefs being in sight and the latitude known, a ship will steer for the Pandora's Entrance, if she can fetch it; but if too much to the north, she may pass round the north end of Portlock's Reef,