[TORRES STRAIT.  SAILING DIRECTIONS.]

(Atlas, Plate I.)

Having passed Wreck Reef, there are no other known dangers near the route for Torres’ Strait, till we come to Diana’s Bank; but as others may exist, it will be prudent to lie to, or preferably to make short tacks in the night, during the rest of the passage to the Strait.  In light nights, however, and moderate weather, there would be not much risk in closely following the Cumberland’s track, carrying no more sail than will allow of the ship being conveniently hauled to the wind; but if an unusual number of boobies and gannets be seen in the evening, there is strong suspicion of a bank and reef being near; and the direction which the birds take, if they all go one way as is usual in an evening, will nearly show its bearing.  The longitude of Diana’s Bank, according to M. de Bougainville, is 151 deg. 19’ from Greenwich; but his longitude at the New Hebrides, some days before, was 54’ too far east, according to captain Cook; and it is therefore most probable, that Diana’s Bank lies in 15 deg. 41’ south, 150 deg. 25’ east.

I should steer, after passing Wreck Reef, so as to go a full degree to the east of this position; and having so done, the next object of attention is the Eastern Fields, reefs which lie a degree from those where Torres’ Strait may be said to commence.  The position to be worked is, Eastern Fields (Atlas, Plate XIII), north-east end, 10 deg. 2’ south, 145 deg. 45’ east; and from this I would pass half a degree to the eastward.  But if the Strait should be attempted without a time keeper, it will be advisable for a ship to make that part of New Guinea lying in about 10 deg. south and 1473/4 deg. east, which may be seen as far as twelve or fifteen leagues in clear weather; and having corrected the dead-reckoning longitude by this land, to allow afterwards eighteen miles a day for a current setting to the W. N. W. The best latitude for passing the Eastern Fields, is 9 deg. 45’ to 50’, steering a W. by S. course, by compass; and it will afterwards be proper, so long as there is daylight and no reefs seen, to carry all sail for the Pandora’s Entrance, which is the best opening yet known to the Strait.  It is formed by reefs, and is eleven or twelve miles wide, and lies, Pandora’s Entrance, the middle, in 9 deg. 54’ S., 144 deg. 42’ E. and it is very possible, if the Eastern Fields be passed in the morning, to get through without seeing the breakers, and obtain a sight of Murray’s Islands before dark.  But it is most probable that reefs will be first met with; and should the latitude of the ship be then uncertain, even to 5’, the wind must be hauled until an observation can be had, for it is by the latitude alone that the first reefs can be distinguished one from the other.