The easterly variation of the compass diminished till it came to 7° 30′.
The currents along the coast, carried us constantly from 8′ to 10′ to the north-west every day.
The thermometer did not rise above 22°, although we were so near the Equator.
16th. At sun-rise we had sight of a flat island, to which Carteret has given the name of Sir Charles Hardy, stretching from north 15° east, to north 22° 30′ east, distant about 15,000 toises. It is situated 25,000 toises N.N.W. of the island of Bouka.
About one in the afternoon, we came in sight of Cape Saint George, on the south-east of New Ireland, bearing W.N.W., distant about 20,000 toises. It was found to be in 4° 54′ 30″ S. lat. and 150° 39′ E. longitude.
We worked to windward, by tacking all the night.
17th. At day-break we steered for Carteret harbour, where we could not stop to anchor. Leaving the island of Marteaux about 25,000 toises on the starboard, we steered so as to pass very near the Booby rocks, leaving Laig Island on the larboard, and we arrived between the island of Cocos and New Ireland, where we came to an anchor, about half past one o'clock P.M. in thirty-two fathoms of water, the bottom being very soft
black
