The breeze was fresh at south-east, and by sunset we had run eleven leagues upon various courses to the north-westward, with soundings from 14 to 33 fathoms; the bottom being rocky in the shallow, and sandy in the deeper parts.  We were steering north-west, at the rate of six knots, when new reefs were discovered, from ahead to abaft the larbord beam; upon which we clapped upon a wind to the southward, and just weathered them, passing through rippling water in 30 fathoms.  Upon this occasion I felt very happy that the Lady Nelson was gone, for in all probability she could not have escaped this danger.  Being now dark, it was too hazardous to stand on; and therefore, on finding a bottom of grey sand in 34 fathoms, we came to with the best bower, veered to a whole cable, and sent down the top-gallant yards.  The latitude here, from a meridian altitude of the moon, was 19 deg. 48 1/3’, and the longitude 149 deg. 131/2’; there was a small drain of ebb tide from the S. by W., until eleven o’clock, but no run was perceptible afterwards.

TUESDAY 19 OCTOBER 1802

In the morning, we saw the reef from N. 1/2 E. to W. 1/2 N., not further distant than two miles, and the northernmost of captain Cook’s Cumberland Islands bore S. 56 deg.  W., about eight leagues.  The wind was at E. S. E, blowing fresh; and our course was pursued along the south side of the reef till nine o’clock; when it terminated, and we steered northward twelve miles, with no soundings at 30 fathoms.  Another reef was then seen, bearing from N. 1/2 E. to W. N. W., and obliged us to steer westward again.

The latitude at noon was 19 deg. 35’ 15”, and longitude by time keeper 148 deg. 471/2’; four reefs then extended from E. by S. to N. W. by W., at the distance of two to five miles; the northern Cumberland Island bore S. 9 deg.  E, and the outer of two hills which I judged to be upon Cape Gloucester, S. 391/2 deg.  W. This bearing, and captain Cook’s latitude of the cape, would make its longitude to be 148 deg. 261/2’, or 151/2’ east of what that great navigator lays it down; and it is to be observed, that from the time of passing Sandy Cape, my longitude had gradually become more eastward as we advanced along the coast.  It has before been said, that captain Cook had no time keeper in his first voyage; nor did he possess many of our advantages in fixing the positions of places; it cannot therefore be thought presumptuous, that I should consider the Investigator’s longitude to be preferable.

We ran from noon, five leagues W. 3/4 N. along the south side of the reefs; and seeing their termination at two o’clock, steered N. N. W., Holborne Isle then bearing S. 53 deg.  W., about four leagues.  At half past four we had a small reef two or three miles to the W. S. W., and a larger four miles to the N. E.; and behind this last was one more extensive, with high breakers on the outside, reaching from N. E. by N. to E.1/2 S. I hauled up with the intention