In the morning of the 27th, we steered south-westward between Inglis’ Island and the main, to explore the opening on the west side of Mallison’s Island.  The tide, which was in our favour, so stirred up the soft mud, that we did not perceive a shoal until from 41/2, the depth diminished to 21/4 fathoms, and the ship stuck fast.  This was at less than a mile from the north-east head of Inglis’ Island, yet the deepest water lay within; and towards noon, by carrying out a stream anchor, we got there into 10 fathoms, without having suffered any apparent injury.  On the approach of low water next morning [MONDAY 28 FEBRUARY 1803], we resumed our course, keeping nearly midway between the main coast and the island, with soundings from 13 to 7 fathoms, muddy ground; the shores are above two miles asunder, but the reefs from each side occupy more than half of the open space.  On clearing the south end of the passage, the boat ahead made signal for 4 fathoms, and we tacked, but afterwards followed till noon; heavy rain then came on, and the wind dying away, an anchor was dropped in 6 fathoms.

There was a rippling not far from the ship, and the master found it to be on a narrow shoal extending north and south, which seems to have been formed in the eddy of the tides.  We got under way, on a breeze from N. W. bringing finer weather; and at two o’clock passed over the shoal with soundings twice in 3 fathoms, and afterwards in 5, 7, 10, 12, and 14.  The bearings taken in 3 fathoms were,

Inglis’ Island, north-east head, N. 50 deg.  E.
Inglis’ Island, low south-west point, N. 15 W.
Mallison’s I., high south-east head, S. 3 E.

At six o’clock we entered the opening, and steered south-eastward into a vast piece of water where the land could not be seen from the mast head; and the soundings were deep, though irregular, varying from 11 to 33 fathoms.  At half past eight, being well within the opening, we tacked towards Mallison’s Island, and came to an anchor in 15 fathoms, sand and shells.

TUESDAY 1 MARCH 1803

In the morning, our distance from the south side of the island was found to be something above a mile, and the extremes bore N. 64 deg.  W. to 39 deg.  E. In going to the shore with a party of the gentlemen I carried a good depth all the way, there being 5 fathoms within a few yards of a little beach where a stream of fresh water descended from the hills.  A first view of the cliffs led me to think they contained coals; but this appearance arose from the colour of the slate, of which the lower parts are composed.  The top of the island is of sand stone, similar to the English Company’s Islands; and it seemed to be equally, or more barren than they, and to be destitute of any rich vallies.