two best time keepers corrected
123 deg. 9' 30",5 east; the observations being made on the middlemost of the
three southern beaches.

The _variation_ from azimuth, observed on the binnacle when the ship's
head was west-south-west, was 0 deg. 54' west, and in the following year
similar observations taken at anchor one mile to the eastward, with the
head east, gave 6 deg. 10' west; whence I deduce the variation which would
have been obtained with the head at north or south, to be 3 deg. 25' west.
From the bearings on shore, compared with the latitudes and longitudes,
it appeared to be 51/4 deg. on the centre of Goose Island; and 4 deg. upon the
granitic mount of Middle Island.

No run of _tide_ was observed, notwithstanding the narrowness of the
channel, where the ship lay.

Goose-Island Bay may be useful as a place of refreshment, but the geese
were not found to be so numerous at a different season of the year: a few
hair seals may be procured, probably at all times. The wood is a species
of _eucalyptus_, neither abundant nor large; but two or three ships may
be supplied with fuel. Fresh water was not to be obtained upon either of
the islands; but upon the opposite Cape Arid, five miles to the north, I
judged there might be small streams running down from the hills. The lake
of salt will be the greatest inducement for vessels to stop in this bay;
they must not, however, come to it in the winter season, as there will be
occasion to show hereafter.

SUNDAY 17 JANUARY 1802

On the 17th in the morning, the anchor was weighed and we steered out
eastward. The shallowest water was seventeen feet, between the south-east
point of Goose Island and the opposite west point of the middle beach;
after which it deepened; and abreast of the middle rock there was 7
fathoms. Having cleared the islets lying off the north-east point of
Middle Island, we steered for Cape Pasley, leaving the _South-East Isles_
of the archipelago far distant on the starbord hand. A low islet and some
rocks lie three miles to the south of the Cape, and the soundings we had
in passing between them were 28 and 34 fathoms.

The wind at this time was moderate at south-west, with fine weather.
Middle Island and Cape Arid were still visible at noon, and the _Eastern
Group_, which, according to D'Entrecasteaux, terminated the archipelago,
was coming in sight. Our situation and most material bearings were then
as under:

Latitude, observed to the north and sou