From Port Lincoln, the shore of the Gulf still trends to the south, as far as Cape Catastrophe, in lat. 35 degrees.  It then turns with an irregular outline to the N.N.W., and several bays succeed each other.  The first of these is Sleaford Bay, sometimes occupied as a whaling station, but of no other importance.  Coffin’s Bay, almost immediately behind Port Lincoln, is rather an inlet than a bay, and runs so far into the interior, as to approach Boston Bay, to within 16 miles.  Coffin’s Bay is exceedingly wide, and objectionable for many reasons, but as it is a whaling station of some importance, and visited by numerous whalers, I shall quote Captain Lee’s remarks upon it, and give his directions for going to it.

“This is a very large bay, perfectly secure from all winds, save from north to east, but unfortunately a great portion of it is rendered useless by the shallowness of the water.  The best anchorage is with Point Sir Isaac, bearing north-north-west, about one mile and a half from the western shore in four or five fathoms.  In working in with a southerly wind, you may stand to the eastward until you bring the above point to bear south-west by west, after which it would be better to make short tacks along the western shore.  You must be careful to keep the lead going, as the water shoals from five and four fathoms to one and a half at a single cast.  This bay seems well adapted for a fishing station.  The inner part of the bay extends a long way back into the country, at least thirty miles from Point Sir Isaac, and contains two or three secure harbours and excellent anchorages, a new chart of which is in course of publication.

“Vessels from Sydney bound to Coffin’s Bay, should proceed as if bound to Port Lincoln until arrived off the Neptune Islands, when they should steer for Perforated Island, having passed which, steer for Point Whidbey, giving it a berth of at least two miles.  In running along shore from Point Whidbey to Point Sir Isaac, come no nearer the shore than two miles, until you get the latter point to bear east-south-east as the rocks lay a long way from the shore.  Having arrived at Point Sir Isaac proceed as directed before.

“Althorp’s Island is of moderate height, situated at the entrance of Investigator’s Straits; may be passed close to on the south side.  Several other islands and reefs lay between it and York’s Peninsula, rendering that passage highly dangerous.

“Wedge Island, one of the Gambier Group, may easily be known by its wedge-like form, sloping from south-east to north-west.  There are two peaked rocks off the south-east end, one mile off shore, also a small island, bearing west five miles from the south end, not laid down in Flinders’ charts.

“Thistle’s Island, is low at each end but high in the middle, it lays in a north-west and south-east direction.  There are some rocks which lay off the northern point about three miles, which being connected with the island itself, forms a good anchorage behind, secure from all but north and east winds, another good place for a fishing party.  See Port Lincoln directions.