[* Observations, etc., made during a voyage in the brig Mercury; by Lieut.  G. Mortimer of the Marines.  London, 1791.]

July 5.  A heavy swell from the southward obliged Mr. Cox to get under way; and he worked along shore to the eastward.  His intention was to put into Adventure Bay; but being set to the northward of his reckoning, on the 8th, he discovered, and came to an anchor in OYSTER BAY, on the inner side of Maria’s Island, the shelter there being found secure, and wood and water plentiful.  This bay lies in 42 deg. 42’ south, and 148 deg. 25’ east, and not more than three or four leagues to the northward of Tasman’s Frederik Hendrik’s Bay; though Mr. Cox, following in the error of captain Furneaux, seems to have had no idea of this proximity.

Some communication was obtained with the inhabitants of the island; but as nothing in this, or in other respects, was found materially different to what was observed by Mons. Marion and captain Cook in the neighbouring bays, it is unnecessary to enter into the details.

D’ENTRECASTEAUX. 1792.

The French rear-admiral, BRUNY D’ENTRECASTEAUX, made the coast of Van Diemen’s Land with the intention of procuring wood and water at Adventure Bay; “but deceived by the forms of the coast, which resemble each other, he entered Storm Bay,” April 20, 1792.* This is not, however, the Storm Bay of Tasman; but that which was taken for such by captain Furneaux.

[* Voyage de D’Entrecasteaux, redige par M. de Rossel:  A Paris 1808.  Tome I. p. 48.]

The error was soon detected; but finding shelter and good anchoring ground, the admiral determined to remain where he was, and to examine the inlet.  The result most amply repaid his labour, by opening to him the most important discovery which had been made in this country from the time of Tasman.  Instead of an open bay, this inlet was found to be the entrance into a fine navigable channel, running more than ten leagues to the northward, and there communicating with the true Storm Bay.  It contains a series of good harbours, or is itself, rather, one continued harbour, from beginning to end.

This new passage obtained the name of CANAL DE D’ENTRECASTEAUX; and, after passing through it with his ships, the admiral steered across Storm Bay, passing to the southward of the land which Furneaux and Cook had taken for Maria’s Islands.  At the head of Storm Bay other openings were seen; but the wind from the north and the pressure of time, did not allow him to examine them at that period.

1793.