July 29.  The long boat was sent to sound in the north-west; and when the ebb tide slacked, the ships followed:  wind at E. S. E. The soundings increased from 5 to 7 fathoms; and afterwards varied between these depths, until noon; when the latitude observed was 9 deg. 42’ south.* The Brothers then bore S. 64 deg.  E.; Mount Cornwallis N. 38 deg.  E; and a long, low island (Turn-again., of Bligh,) N. 35 deg. to 58 deg.  W. At three p.m. the reefs were so numerous, that the ships were obliged to anchor, until the boats could sound for a passage:  the depth here was 41/2 fathoms, on a bottom of rotten stones and coral.

[* This latitude is from 4’ to 6’ more south than captain Bligh’s positions; and the same difference occurs in all the observations, where a comparison can be made.]

July 31.  They weighed, and hauled the wind eastward, to pass round Turn-again Island; bearing away occasionally to avoid small reefs:  the soundings 51/2 to 4 fathoms.  After passing round, they anchored in 5 fathoms; until the boats should sound between the reefs which appeared on every side:  Turn-again Island then bore S. 56 deg. to 83 deg.  W. about two leagues, Mount Cornwallis N. 56 deg.  E., the Brothers S. 50 deg.  E.; the latitude observed was 9 deg. 32’, and longitude from four sights of the sun and moon, 140 deg. 58’ east.  Next afternoon, in proceeding to the north-westward, the Chesterfield struck upon a bank in eight feet water; but the coral giving way to the ship, she went over without injury.  In the evening, they both anchored in 41/2 fathoms, gravel and shells; Mount Cornwallis bearing E. 1/4 S., and a long tract of land from N. W. by N. to N. E., at the distance of five or six leagues.  Turn-again Island bore S. S. E. 3/4 E. to S. 1/2 W., four miles; and thither the ships ran on Aug. 3, and anchored in 33/4 fathoms, fine sand, within a quarter of a mile of the shore; the extremes bearing S. 58 deg.  E. to 60 deg.  W. The purpose for which they came to this island, was to procure wood, water, and refreshments; during the time necessary for the boats to explore a passage through the innumerable reefs and banks, which occupy this part of the Strait.

Messieurs Bampton and Alt remained here seventeen days; being afraid to move with the strong south-east winds which blew during the greater part of the time.  Turn-again Island is flat, low, and swampy; and about three miles in length, by half that space in breadth. (Mr. Bampton’s chart makes it the double of these dimensions; and, generally, the islands in it exceed the description of the journal in about the same proportion:  the journal seems to be the preferable authority.) The reefs which surround Turn-again Island, extend a great distance to the east and west; particularly in the latter direction, where there are many dry sand banks.  The island is mostly over-run with mangroves; and at the top of the flood, the wood cutters were obliged to work in the water; and were, at all times, exceedingly annoyed with musketoes.  The island is said, in the journal, to be in 9 deg. 34; south and 140 deg. 55’ east; which is 3’ to the south and 1 deg. 24’ west of its situation in the chart of captain Bligh.