We had ſpent more time in ſurveying the ſtrait of Dentrecaſteaux than we had intended. Before we could reach the main ſea we had ſtill a paſſage of 2,500 toiſes to make through the channel. The wind was contrary, but the tide favourable; ſo that we got under way about half an hour after nine in the morning. We often came within 150 toiſes of the coaſt, where the ſoundings gave us our depth at 12 or 15 fathoms, in places where the coaſt was high, and 6 or 6½ fathoms near the low grounds.
At length we reached the extremity of the ſtrait. The two forelands are at the diſtance of 2,500 toiſes from one another from S.E. to N.W. We ranged very near to that on our ſtarboard ſide, where we found the depth to be no more than 3½ or 4 fathoms. Such a great diminution of water at the termination of the ſtrait, led us to conjecture that the bottom conſiſted of a hard rock that reſiſted the daily action of the tides, and the ſoundings verified our ſuppoſition. This was the only bad bottom which we found throughout the whole extent of the ſtrait. We left it about noon; when we diſcovered an opening E.S.E. about 15,000 toiſes in breadth, which affords a paſſage into the main ſea.
To the northward we obſerved a vaſt bay, or rather a gulph, intercepted with iſlands, and con-
nected
