12, at which time we wore and stood to the Northward until 4, then lay her Head off until daylight, when we again saw the Land, and stood N.N.W. directly for it, having a fresh gale at E. by S. Our Soundings in the night were from 17 to 5 fathoms, very irregular, without any sort of Rule with respect to our distance from the Land. At ½ past 6 a small low Island, laying about a League from the Main, bore N. by W., distant 5 miles; this island lays in the Latitude of 8° 13′ S., Long. 221° 25′ W. I find it laid down in the Charts by the Name of St. Bartholomew or Whermoysen. We now steer'd N.W. by W., W.N.W., W. by N., W. by S., and S.W. by W., as we found the land to lay, having a Boat ahead of the Ship sounding; depth of water from 5 to 9 fathoms. When in 7, 8 or 9 fathoms we could but just see the Land from the Deck; but I did not think we were at above 4 Leagues off, because the land is exceeding low and level, and appeared to be well cover'd with wood; one sort appeared to us to be Cocoa Nutt Trees. By the Smookes we saw in different parts as we run along shore we were assured that the Country is inhabited. At Noon we were about 3 Leagues from the land, the Westermost part of which that we could see bore S. 79° W.; our Latitude by Observation was 8° 19′ S., Long. 221° 44′ W. The Island, St. Bartholomew, bore N. 74° E., distant 20.[1]
Thursday, 30th.—Fresh breezes at S.E., E.S.E., and E. by S. After steering S.W. by W., 6 miles, we discover'd on our Starboard bow and ahead a Strong appearance of Shoal Water, and by this time we had Shoald our water from 10 to 5 fathoms; upon which I made the Pinnace Signal to Edge down to it, but she not going far enough, we sent the Yawl to sound in it, and at the same time hauld off close upon a Wind, with the Ship until 4, at which time we had run 6 Miles, but did not depen our water anything. We then Edged away S.W., 4 Miles more, but finding still Shoal Water we brought too, and call'd the Boats on board by Signal, hoisted them in, and then hauld off close upon a wind, being at this time about 3 or 4 Miles from the Land. The Yawl found only 3 fathoms water in the place where I sent her to sound, which place I weather'd about ½ a mile. Between 1 and 2 we passed a Bay or Inlet, before which lies a small Island that seems to Shelter it from the Southerly winds; but I very much doubt their being Water behind it for Shipping. I could not attempt it because the S.E. Trade wind blows right in; and we have not as yet had any land breezes. We stretched off to Sea until 12 o'Clock, at which time we were 10 and 11 Leagues from the Land, and had depen'd our Water to 29 fathoms; we now tack'd and stood in until 4 o'Clock, when, being
- ↑ The ship was now off the south coast of New Guinea, and near what is known as Princess Marianne Strait, which separates Frederick Henry Island from the main island. All this coast is very shallow, but very imperfectly charted to the present day.
