The reefs being in sight and the latitude known, a ship will steer for the Pandora’s Entrance, if she can fetch it; but if too much to the north, she may pass round the north end of Portlock’s Reef, and haul up S. W. for Murray’s Islands, which are visible eight or ten leagues from the deck in fine weather. (See View No. 10 in Plate XVIII. of the Atlas.) It is best to approach these islands from the N. E. by N., following the Investigator’s track, and to anchor the first night on the north side of the largest island, or otherwise under the reefs which lie to the north-east; but if neither can be reached before dark, haul to the wind and make short trips till daylight, in the space between these reefs and Portlock’s Reef.

Murray’s Islands should not be passed, or quitted if the ship have anchored there, later than ten or eleven o’clock in the morning; because the sun will be getting ahead and obscure the sight before another good anchorage can be secured.  On passing the islands, keep the reef which lies five miles to the north about a mile on the starbord hand, steering W. 1/2 S. by compass, with a boat ahead; for in this part there are many tide ripplings scarcely to be distinguished from the reefs.  Having passed the ripplings, haul a point more to the southward; and after having run eight or ten miles, from the time that the largest island bore south, there will be very few reefs to the northward, and Darnley’s Island will be seen.  On the larbord hand there will be a great mass of reefs:  and these it is necessary to follow at the distance of two or three miles, steering mostly W. S. W., and gradually more southward as they are found to trend.  Some small patches will occasionally be met with; but having the boat to go ahead, and the commander, or a careful officer looking out aloft, the Investigator’s track between them may be safely followed.  The leading mark in all this part of the course, is the line of the great south-eastern reefs; and the situation of the ship may be known at any time, by laying down cross bearings of Murray’s and Darnley’s Islands on the chart, allowing, if the ship’s head be westward and the compass on the top of the binnacle, 5 deg. of east variation.

Several low, woody isles will come in sight ahead, or on the starbord bow; and before reaching the end of the south-eastern reefs, Hay-way Island, which is the southernmost of them, will be seen to the southwest; and here I would recommend the ship to anchor for the night.  If this island can be passed, however, before three in the afternoon, and the sun do not obscure the sight, she may push on south-westward till an hour before sunset; and anchor under the lee of any of those sand banks which lie in the route, the ground being better here than in the eastern part of the Strait.