MONDAY 15 NOVEMBER 1802

On the 15th, we ran before a north-east wind towards the furthest land seen from the mast head.  The soundings were 31/2, 3, and soon after seven o’clock, 21/2 fathoms; which made it necessary to steer further off, though the land was distant six or eight miles, and scarcely visible from the deck.  We kept in 3 fathoms, steering various westward courses, until noon; when the latitude was 17’ 30’ 9”, and longitude 140 deg. 23’.  The land was distant seven or eight miles to the southward, and the furthest part distinguished from the mast head was at S. by W. 1/2 W.; it was low and sandy as ever, and with less wood upon it than any part before seen.  A sea breeze at N. N. W. scarcely permitted us to lie along the shore in the afternoon; but the ground being soft, and soundings regular, though shallow, we kept on until five o’clock; and then tacked in 21/2 fathoms, having reached within three miles of the land.  At eight o’clock, the anchor was let go in 4 fathoms, on a bottom of mud and shells.

The coast to which we approached nearest this evening, was sandy and very barren; but there were some natives collected upon the hillocks, to look at the ship; so that even here, and at the end of the dry season, fresh water may be had.  These people were black and naked, and made many wild gestures.  Between this part and the land set at S. by W. 1/2 W. at noon, there was a bight falling back as far as the latitude 17 deg. 42’, or perhaps further, which appeared to be the southern extremity of the Gulph of Carpentaria; for the coast from thence took a direction to the northward of west.  Shoals extended a great way out from the bight; and were almost dry to a considerable distance.

TUESDAY 16 NOVEMBER 1802

In the morning our route was pursued along the shore, at the distance of six to nine or ten miles; the course being N. W., close to a N. N. E. wind, and the soundings remarkably regular, between 3 and 31/2 fathoms.  Two leagues from the place where the natives had been seen, was a projecting part where the country again became woody; but the coast there, and onward, was as low as before.  At noon, the observed latitude was 17 deg. 21’ 15”, and the longitude by time keeper 139 deg. 54’ east; the furthest continuation of the land seen from the mast head, bore W. 1/2 S., but there was a small lump bearing N. 35 deg.  W., towards which we kept up as much as possible.  At two o’clock the wind headed, and on coming into 21/2 fathoms, we tacked; being then five miles from the low southern land, and three or four leagues from the northern hill, which bore N. 18 deg.  W. Not much was gained in working to windward from that time till dusk; and the anchor was then dropped in 41/2 fathoms, blue mud, no other land than the small hill being in sight.