Whilst stretching in for the shore, with the ship’s head north-west-by-north (magnetic) I took azimuths with two compasses on the binnacle; after which they were immediately placed on a stand near the taffrel and other azimuths taken.  The variation resulting from the observations on the binacle was 5 deg. 59’ west, and from those near the taffrel 8 deg. 24’ west; affording another instance of the effect produced by changing the place of the compass.  In 1803, and at twenty leagues to the west of Cape Leeuwin, we had 10 deg. 4’ variation on the binnacle, with the head south-east; from which, and the above 5 deg. 59’, the true variation off the cape, or such as would be obtained with the ship’s head at north or south, should be 7 deg. 48’ west.*

[* The mode by which these, and other observations made with the compass on the binnacle, are reduced to what is conceived to be the true variation, is explained in the Appendix No.  II, to the second volume.]

At seven o’clock we got sight of the two white rocks, which enabled me to take up the survey of the preceding evening; and we then bore away along the coast at the distance of four or five miles, with a pleasant breeze and fine weather.

Some parts of the shore between Point D’Entrecasteaux and Cape Chatham were not distinctly seen.  That which is nearest to the cape lies in the line of N. 38 deg.  W. from its outer part, and presents an intermixture of steep cliffs and small sandy beaches, with a back land moderately high, and better covered with wood than that before described.  On the east side of Cape Chatham the shore falls back to the northward, and makes a bight in which is a small reef of rocks.  It then projects in a cliffy head, which lies S. 75 deg.  E. seven miles from the cape, and is called Point Nuyts in the French chart; upon the supposition, probably, that this was the first land seen by Nuyts in 1627.  Beyond this point the coast trends very nearly east; but forms several projections, some of which are steep and others low; and between them are sandy bights where small vessels might obtain shelter from all northern winds.  The hills lying at the back of the shore seemed to be barren, though trees grew thickly on their eastern sides; they are not high, but it was rare to perceive any thing of the interior country above them.

At noon the nearest parts of the coast were a steep and a more eastern low point, both distant about four miles; and from the bight between them was rising the first smoke seen upon this coast.  Our situation at this time, and the principal bearings taken, were as under;