No breakers were in sight in the morning of Sept. 3.  At seven, a boat was sent ahead; and the vessels bore away after her to the N. W., in order to try the New-Guinea side of the Strait.  At noon, their course was interrupted by a reef, which was named Bonds Reef, extending from W. N. W. to North, and distant four or five miles:  observed latitude 9 deg. 6’, longitude 144 deg. 13’.  The north side of the Strait being judged impracticable, the wind was again hauled to the southward; and, at dusk, the vessels anchored in 37 fathoms, fine grey sand; five or six miles north of a reef, upon which was a dry bank, called Anchor Key.  An island of considerable height, bearing S. W. by W. ten leagues, was then seen from the mast head:  Captain Bligh gave it the name of Darnley’s Island; and to the space between Portlock’s and Bond’s Reefs, by which the vessels had entered the Strait, that of Bligh’s Entrance.

Sept. 4.  A boat was sent to the S. S. W., and the vessels followed.  Other high lands (Murray’s Isles) were seen to the southward; and a reef with a sand bank on it, to the west.  At noon, the latitude was 9 deg. 32’ south, and longitude 143 deg. 59’ east:  Darnley’s Island bore S. 74 deg. to 82 deg.  W., four leagues; and the largest of Murray’s Isles, S. 13 deg. to 21 deg.  E.:  the western reef was about three miles distant, but nothing was visible ahead in the S. by W. At four o’clock, the vessels anchored in 21 fathoms, sandy bottom; with Darnley’s Island bearing N. 60 deg.  W., three leagues.  Betwixt a sand-bank, called Canoe Key, which bore S. 60 deg.  W., two leagues, and a reef lying in the W. by S., there appeared to be a passage, which the boats were sent to examine.

On the 5th, boats were again sent to sound the passage.  Several large sailing canoes were seen; and the cutter making the signal for assistance, the pinnace was sent to her, well manned and armed.  On the return of the boats in the afternoon, it appeared, that, of four canoes which used their efforts to get up to the cutter, one succeeded.  There were in it fifteen Indians, black, and quite naked; and they made signs which were interpreted to be amicable.  These signs the officer imitated; but not thinking it prudent to go so near as to take a green cocoa-nut, which was held up to him, he continued rowing for the ship.  A man, who was sitting upon the shed erected in the centre of the canoe, then said something to those below; and immediately they began to string their bows.  Two of them had already fitted arrows, when the officer judged it necessary to fire in his own defence.  Six muskets were discharged; and the Indians fell flat into the bottom of the canoe, all except the man on the shed:  the seventh musket was fired at him, and he fell also.  During this time, the canoe dropped astern; and the three others having joined her, they all gave chase to the cutter, trying to cut her off from the ship; in which they would probably have succeeded, had not the pinnace arrived, at that juncture, to her assistance.  The Indians then hoisted their sails, and steered for Darnley’s Island.