Cape Townshend was named after Charles Townshend, one
of the Lords of the Admiralty when the Endeavour left England, and not
the Chancellor of the Exchequer, as stated by Wharton.

Rounding the point into Shoalwater Bay they had to haul sharp up to the
west to get within the Northumberland Islands, and the water was found to
be so shallow that they anchored and sounded from the boats, gradually
working nearer in, as Cook was anxious to clean the ship's bottom, which
was very foul; and he desired to take advantage of the full moon in these
dangerous waters. They landed to take some observations and look for
water. The observations were unsatisfactory, for the compass was
unreliable, a fault attributed to the ironstone in the neighbourhood, of
which signs were very evident, and water was not to be found. The country
is reported on as follows: "No signs of fertility is to be seen upon the
Land; the soil of the uplands is mostly a hard, reddish clay."

Passing Cape Hillsborough, they entered Whitsunday Passage, described by
Cook as "one continued safe harbour, besides a number of small bays and
coves on each side, where ships might lay as it were in a Basin." The
land on both sides was green and pleasant-looking, but on account of the
moonlight Cook could not waste any time in landing.

Entering Cleveland Bay, the compass was again very much disturbed; the
cause was found to be Magnetical, now Magnetic, Island, lying just off
the present Port of Townsville. Blacks were seen, near Rockingham Bay,
through the glasses; they were said to be very dark and destitute of
clothing, but no communication with them was possible.

ON THE ROCKS.

On 10th June, after leaving a small bay north of Cape Grafton, where they
had searched in vain for a watering place, the watch had just turned in,
the lead had been cast and given seventeen fathoms, when the unfortunate
ship brought all hands on deck, with a crash on a sunken rock. Soundings
taken all round showed her to be on the very edge of a coral reef. Making
but little water, an attempt was made to warp her off, but
unsuccessfully. Steps were then taken to lighten her; decayed stores, oil
jars, staves, casks, ballast, and her six quarter-deck guns were thrown
overboard, some forty to fifty tons, but with no effect. The tide now
rising, the leaks increased rapidly, two pumps being kept constantly at
work. Thinking things could only go from bad to worse, Cook determined to
heave her off