he Bay of
Islands. We continued steering to the N W. Several islands and keys lay
to the northward. The most northerly island was mountainous, having on
it a very high round hill; and a smaller was remarkable for a single
peaked hill.

The coast to the northward and westward of the Bay of Islands had a very
different appearance from that to the southward. It was high and woody,
with many islands close to it, and had a very broken appearance. Among
these islands are fine bays, and convenient places for shipping. The
northernmost I call Wednesday Island: to the N W of this we fell in with
a large reef, which I believe joins a number of keys that were in sight
from the N W to the E N E. We now stood to the S W half a league, when
it was noon, and I had a good observation of the latitude in 10 deg. 31' S.
Wednesday Island bore E by S five miles; the westernmost land S W two or
three leagues; the islands to the northward, from N W by W four or five
leagues, to N E six leagues; and the reef from W to N E, distant one
mile, I now assured every one that we should be clear of New Holland in
the afternoon.

It is impossible for me to say how far this reef may extend. It may be a
continuation, or a detached part of the range of shoals that surround
the coast: but be that as it may, I consider the mountainous islands as
separate from the shoals; and have no doubt that near them may be found
good passages for ships. But I rather recommend to those who are to pass
this strait from the eastward, to take their direction from the coast of
New Guinea: yet, I likewise think that a ship coming from the southward,
will find a fair strait in the latitude of 10 deg. S. I much wished to have
ascertained this point; but in our distressful situation, any increase
of fatigue, or loss of time, might have been attended with the most
fatal consequences. I therefore determined to pass on without delay.

[Sidenote: 1789. JUNE 3.]

As an addition to our dinner of bread and water, I served to each person
six oysters.

[Sidenote: Thursday 4.]

Thursday, June the 4th. A fresh gale at S E, and fair weather.

At two o'clock as we were steering to the S W, towards the westernmost
part of the land in sight, we fell in with some large sand-banks that
run off from the coast. We were therefore obliged to steer to the
northward again, and, having got round them, I directed my course to the
W.

At four o'clock, the westernmost of the islands to the north