The vessels passed between Dungeness and Warriours Islands, with from 19 to 13 fathoms; and anchored, at four o’clock, under the lee of Dungeness Island and Reef.  The passage to the westward then appeared clearer; three high islands, bearing from S. 60 deg.  W. three leagues, to N. 76 deg.  W. five leagues, forming the sole visible obstructions.

Sept. 11.  Captain Bligh proceeded on his course to the W. N. W., and passed two islands, to which the descriptive names of Turtle-backed Island and the Cap were given; and, soon after noon, the vessels anchored in 7 fathoms, soft bottom.  There was a dry sand bearing N. 63 deg.  W. two or three miles; between which, and the third high island, called The Brothers, bearing S. 55 deg. to 69 deg.  W. three miles, it was judged necessary for the boats to sound, before proceeding further.  This anchorage was in latitude 9 deg. 43’, and longitude 142 deg. 40’; and, besides the islands already mentioned, there was in sight a mountainous island, to which the name of Banks was given, bearing S. 43 deg.  W., twelve or thirteen leagues; also Burke’s Island, S. 13 deg.  W. eight or ten leagues; and Mount Cornwallis, on another island, N. 29 deg.  W. six or eight leagues; and from behind this last, to N. 7 deg.  W., there extended a level land, which was supposed to be a part of the coast of NEW GUINEA.

Sept. 12.  The vessels followed the boats to the westward; but were interrupted by reefs, and obliged to anchor again before noon.  The water had shoaled gradually, and there was then only 6 fathoms:  the bottom a coarse, coral sand.  Two other islands were then in sight:  a low one, named Turn-again Island, bore N. 53 deg.  W. about four leagues; and Jervis’ Island, which is rather high, S. 48 deg.  W. nine leagues.  A reef, with a dry sand upon it, extended from S. 7 deg.  E. to 62 deg.  W. four or five miles; another was distant three miles to the west; and a third bore N. 18 deg.  W. five miles.  The latitude of the anchorage was 9 deg. 41’ south, and longitude 142 deg. 24’ east.

A fresh gale from south-east did not allow the Providence and Assistant to proceed onward for three days.  In the mean time, the passage between the reefs to the N. W., was sounded by the boats; and found to contain about 5 fathoms, regularly, upon hard ground.  They were also sent to examine the passage round the southern reefs; and this being deeper, with a superior bottom, it was chosen as the preferable route.

Sept. 16.  The vessels passed to windward of the southern reef; and steered south-westward, as it trended, in from 7 to 5 fathoms water, until half past noon; when they anchored in latitude 10 deg. 3’, and longitude, by time-keeper, 142 deg. 14’.  The sole direction in which the eye could range without being obstructed, was that whence the vessels had come; every where else the view was arrested by rocks, banks, and islands.  The most extensive of these,