Our course was directed entirely by the chart I had previously formed; for the weather was so thick that for the greater part of the way no land could be seen to guide us:  by noon we had passed between Cape York and Mount Adolphus, and in a short time rounded the north end of Wednesday Island, and were steering between it and the North-West Reef.

After passing the rock off Hammond’s Island, we steered West by South 1/2 South, but were obliged to haul up South-West by West to pass to the southward of a small shoal, some part of which was uncovered (the time of tide being nearly low water, spring tide):  this shoal lies in a North 50 degrees West direction, from the low rocky ledge off the north end of Good’s Island, and is distant from it about a mile and a half.  The Dick being a little to leeward of our track, had four fathoms; but the least we had was five and three-quarters.  This reef is not noticed in Captain Flinders’ chart:  at high water, or even at half ebb, it is very dangerous, from its lying in the direct track; but, by hauling over to the south shore, may be easily avoided.

At four o’clock we passed Booby Island, and steered West by South across the Gulf of Carpentaria.

July 3.

Between Booby Island and Cape Wessel, which we passed in sight of on the 3rd, we had thick gloomy weather, with the wind between South and East-South-East; and, after rounding the Cape had some heavy rain, in which the mercury, having previously fallen to 29.91, rose to 29.95 inches.  Lightning from the east and west accompanied the rain, but the wind was steady, and did not freshen or lull during the showers.

July 5.

On the 5th, at daylight, Goulburn Islands were seen, and at nine o’clock we passed through the strait that divides them; our track being half a mile more to the northward than that of last year, we had more regular soundings.

As soon as we anchored in South-West Bay, I sent on shore to examine our former watering-place, but found that the stream had failed.  The parched up appearance of the island showed that the last had been an unusually dry season; every place that, even in the month of August, six weeks later, had before yielded large quantities, as well as the lagoon behind the beach, which, from the nature of the plants growing in it, was conjectured to be a never-failing supply, was now dried up.

July 6 to 8.

The next morning the brig’s boat went over to Sims Island with Mr. Cunningham, and there found a small quantity of water, sufficient, according to Mr. Hemmans’ report, for all our wants.  The next morning (7th) he moved the San Antonio over to the island, and anchoring her off the sandy beach, landed his people to dig holes.  In the afternoon he sent me a specimen of what had been collected; but it was so brackish that I gave up all idea of shipping any:  he had improvidently dug large holes, into which all the water good and bad had drained,