The coast from Waldegrave’s Isles to Point Drummond runs waving in a south-eastern direction, and forms bights and broad, cliffy heads.  It appeared to be of moderate elevation, and barren; but the further parts of it could not be well distinguished on account of the haze.

We tacked from the shore at six o’clock, when the following bearings were taken;

Point Drummond, S. 14 deg.  E. A broad cliffy projection, the north end, N. 11 W. ——­ south end, distant 4 or 5 miles, N. 26 E. A rocky islet, distant three leagues, N. 41 W. This islet lies four miles from the main land, and nothing was seen to prevent a ship passing between them.

Soon after we had tacked, the wind veered gradually round from the south to east; and having steered southward under easy sail till midnight, we then hove to.  A heavy dew fell, which had not before been observed upon this part of the coast.

TUESDAY 16 FEBRUARY 1802

At daylight, Point Drummond was seven miles distant to the north-by-east.  The shore, after falling back four or five miles from it, trended northward; but there was other land further out, and we steered for the opening between them, passing a rocky islet five miles from Point Drummond and nearly as much from the eastern shore.  At eight o’clock we found ourselves in a bay whose width, from the outer western point of entrance, named Point Sir Isaac, to the shore on the east side, was near three leagues.  It extended also far into the south-south-east but the depth diminished, in less than half an hour, to 4 fathoms, although the head of the bay was still six or seven miles distant.  We were then two miles from the eastern shore, with Point Sir Isaac bearing N. 67 deg.  W.; and hoping to find deeper water in that direction, hauled to the westward; but coming into 3 fathoms, were obliged to tack, and the wind veering round from the sea, we worked to windward in the entrance of the bay.

The situation of Point Sir Isaac is 34 deg. 27’ south, and from observations of the moon with stars on each side, in 135 deg. 13’ east; but by the time-keepers corrected, which I prefer, the longitude is 135 deg. 10’ east.  The basis of the point seemed to be granitic, with an upper stratum of calcareous rock, much similar to the neighbouring isles of the Investigator’s Group.  Its elevation is inconsiderable, and the surface is sandy and barren, as is all the land near it on the same side.  The large piece of water which it shelters from western winds I named COFFIN’S BAY, in compliment to the present vice-admiral Sir Isaac Coffin, Bart.; who, when resident commissioner at Sheerness, had taken so zealous a part in the outfit of the Investigator.  Coffin’s Bay extends four or five leagues to the south-eastward from Point Sir Isaac; but I do not think that any stream more considerable than perhaps a small rill from the back land falls into it, since sandy cliffs and beach were seen nearly all round.  On the east side of the entrance the shore rises quickly from the beach to hills of considerable height, well covered with wood.  The highest of these hills I call Mount Greenly; its elevation is between six and eight hundred feet, and it stands very near the water-side.