The track and discoveries of the Pandora, in Plate XIII. are taken from a chart published in 1798, by Mr. Dalrymple, upon the authority of one constructed by lieutenant Hayward; but it does not contain the track of the boats after the loss of the Pandora.  This chart, and the account given by Mr. Hamilton, which, though more than sufficiently explicit upon some points, is very defective in what concerns navigation and geography; are all that appears to have been published of this voyage.

BLIGH and PORTLOCK. 1792.

Neither the great extent of the reefs, to the eastward of Cape York, nor the loss of the Pandora, were known in 1792; when captain WILLIAm BLIGH came a second time to Torres’ Strait, with His Majesty’s ship Providence, and the brig Assistant commanded by lieutenant (now captain) NATHANIEL PORTLOCK.  The objects of his mission were, to transport the bread-fruit plant from Taheity to the West Indies; and, in his way, to explore a new passage through the Strait; in both of which he was successful.

A chart of the discoveries made in Torres’ Strait, was lodged, by captain Bligh, in the Admiralty Office; and is incorporated with other authorities, in Plate XIII. of the accompanying Atlas.  No account of this voyage having yet been published; it is conceived, that the following brief relation of the passage through the strait, will be acceptable to the nautical reader; and, having had the honour to serve in the expedition, I am enabled to give it from my own journal, with the sanction of captain Bligh.

Aug. 31.  Latitude at noon 9 deg. 25’ south; longitude from fifteen sets of distances of the sun west, and star east, of the moon, taken on the 24th, 25th, and 26th, preceding, 145 deg. 22’ and by time keepers, 145 deg. 23’ east.  No land seen since passing Louisiade the preceding day; but many birds and fish, and much rock weed.  At dusk, having steered W. 1/4 S. 27 miles, breakers were seen ahead, at the distance of two miles; and the vessels hauled to the wind:  no bottom at 94 fathoms.

Sept. 1.  They bore away W. by S.; but hauled up gradually to South, on account of the breakers; and not being able to weather them, tacked to the N. E. At noon, latitude 9 deg. 37’ south, longitude by time keepers, 144 deg. 59’ east:* part of the reef, which was named after captain Portlock, seen in the N. N. W. from the mast head.  At four o’clock, the vessels edged away round the north end of Portlock’s Reef, which, at dusk, bore South, about two leagues; and the wind was then hauled for the night.

[* In Plate XIII. some small alterations are made in the longitudes given by captain Bligh’s time keepers, to make them correspond with the corrected longitudes of the Investigator and Cumberland.]

Sept. 2.  The breakers bore South, four or five miles; and captain Bligh steered westward:  the Assistant leading.  At noon, the latitude being 9 deg. 26’, longitude, by time keepers, 144 deg. 23’, other breakers were seen ahead, and the vessels hauled the wind to the southward; but finding another reef in that direction, with a dry bank upon it, they tacked to the N. E. at half past one; and got ground, for the first time, in 64 fathoms, coral bottom.  During the following night, they stood off and on, constantly getting soundings.