The seine was hauled upon the beach; but the only fish caught were two very large sting-rays; one of which measured twelve feet across:  as it was too unwieldy to take on board, we had no means of weighing it; but the liver nearly filled a small pork barrel.* It is very probable that our bad success may be attributed to the presence of these fish, for on board the Dick several snappers were caught with the hook and line.

(Footnote.  Captain Cook describes some fish, probably of the same species, found at Botany Bay, weighing each three hundred and thirty-six pounds (Hawkesworth volume 3 page 100); from which circumstance, as it is not generally known, the name of Sting-ray Bay was given to that harbour; it is so-called in the charts of the Endeavour’s voyage, in the Hydrographical Office at the Admiralty, as well as in Sir Joseph Banks’ copy of the Endeavour’s journal, and in Dr. Solander’s manuscript journal, both of which are in the possession of my friend Robert Brown, Esquire.  The name by which it is now known appears to have been given subsequently, on account of the variety and beauty of its botanical productions.)

In the evening the wind set in from South by East, with rain, and cloudy, thick weather:  in striking the royal masts, a serious defect was discovered in our fore-top-mast; the upper part being found rotten for twelve feet below the head; and the top-gallant-mast was also found to be sprung in the wake of the cap.

June 12.

So that we were compelled to remain all the next day at the anchorage to shift them.  This detention was very vexatious, for we were not only losing a fair wind, but lying in a very exposed situation.

During the preceding night a brig anchored half a mile to the southward of us:  she proved to be the San Antonio; she left Port Jackson four days after us, and was bound on a trading speculation to the Moluccas and Singapore.  In the forenoon I visited the master, Mr. Hemmans, and offered him my guidance up the coast, if he would wait until we had shifted our defective masts; but he declined it as he was anxious to get on without delay; and, having Captain Flinders’ charts, intended to run “Day and night through the reefs;” he told me that he had anchored here with the intention of watering and cutting some pine spars, but that not finding the latter worth the trouble, he was then getting underweigh to proceed.  When I went away, he accompanied me to look over my plan of the passage; after which he returned to his vessel, which soon afterwards steered past us on her way to the northward.  Mr. Hemmans told me that he had anchored under Keppel Islands, where he had a friendly communication with the natives, who used nets, which he thought were of European construction; but from his description, they are similar to what have been before seen on the coast, and are constructed by the natives themselves.