*794* the one n . gg e ., the other n . 52 e ., and a fmall apparent opening ins
_—j the main land, n . 3 E. The fhoal in this point o f view, appeared to
unite with point Martin, and to admit of a paffage between them and
Kaye’s ifland towards cape Suckling. T o afcertain this fact Mr. Puget
flood towards Kaye’s ifland, purpoling to pafs between it and Wingham
ifland; but as the wind then blew frelh from the N. E., he plied during
the night, and the next morning tacked within about a league of point
Martin, bearing by compafs N. tow ., having the cliffy iflets between
the velfel and-that point, with a continuation of the Ihoal, which had
now been traced from Kinchinbrook ifland to this flation; where the
depth of water was 10 fathoms; yet its termination could not be diC-
cerned, as it was feen extending towards the fouth-eaft, completely preventing
any communication with the Ihore, and rendering the expected
paffage to cape Suckling a very doubtful matter. In order to gain fome
information*on this head, Mr. Le Mefurier, one of the midfhipmen, was
Lent in the cutter to examine, whilft the Chatham flood over to Kaye’s
ifland in queft o f anchorage, and of a paffage between it and Wingham
ifland; the latter in a north and fouth direction is about a league long,
and about a mile broad, forming with the north-weft point of Kaye’s
ifland a paffage apparently navigable about a league in width, with regular
foundings from 20 to 6 fathoms, until its eaftern extent was
reached; when the depth fuddenly decreafed to 3 and 25 fathoms. This
circumftance compelled Mr. Puget to delifl from proceeding until he
lhould be better acquainted with the paffage ; and on difpatching a boat
for that purpofe, the depth from ifland to ifland was found not to exceed
from 2 to 3 fathoms. In confequence of this report, Mr. Puget waited-
for the return of the cutter near the north-weft part of Kaye’s ifland in 7
fathoms water, its Ihores bearing by compafs s. 14 w- to. N. 38
Wingham ifland from n. 15 e. to n. 17 w .; the wefternmoft part of the
main land in light, n . 47 w., and the neareft ftiore, being a fteep green
point on Kaye’s ifland, s. 11 w., one milediftant.
Towards midnight Mr. Le Mefurier returned, and reported that he
firft proceeded round the north and eaft fides of Wingham ifland, where,
clofe to its Ihores, he found from 15 to to fathoms water, in a- narrow
channel
channel formed by a continuation of the above Ihoals, at the diftance of
about half a mile to the north and eaft of Wingham ifland, from whence
he fleered for the northern fide of Kaye’s ifland, with 3 to g fathoms
water: at no great diftance to the north of his courfe, was the edge
of the Ihoal, interfperfed with dry fand banks appearing to unite with the
main land, which,at a confiderable diftance rofe to lofty mountains, and
-formed the boundary of Controller’s bay. From the north-eaft point of
Kaye’s ifland he proceeded to two fmall iflets, that lie in an eaftern direction
from it, towards cape Suckling. Not far from thefe the depth
o f water was from 4 to 4-5-fathoms.- He then proceeded about 2 miles
in a northerly direction, having from 3 to 6 fathoms water near the
edge of the Ihoal, which now appeared to continue to cape Suckling;
this was the extent of his refearches eaftward, from whence he returned
by the paffage between Wingham ifland and Kaye’s ifland, with foundings
from 4 to 6 fathoms, until he reached the lhallow part that had flopped
the progrefs of the Chatham, over which was not found more than from
2 to 3 fathoms. So far as Mr. Le Mefurier had- gone, thefe had not
appeared any impediment to the Chatham’s making a paffage between
thefe iflands and cape Suckling, which would not only greatly expedite
her progrefs along the coaft, but it might prove to future vilitors a de-
firable circumftance to be informed that fuch a paffage was navigable,
in cafe of their being caught in a fouth-eaft gale, between Kaye’s ifland
and cape Suckling, in which cafe they might be enabled to elude thofe
ftorms and their attendant dangers.
With this intent the Chatham proceeded the next morning (15th june)
round the north fide of Wingham ifland, that being the lafeft. channel,
and keeping clofe to its Ihores had 15 and 17 fathoms water; but on the
wind failing, the flood tide drifted her to the eaftward, and on to the Ihoal:
a fmall anchor was immediately carried out, and at eleven flie floated off,
and came to an anchor in 13 fathoms water, near the eaft fide of Wingham
ifland, without having received the Ieaft injury by this accident.
It was now nearly high water, and a favorable breeze prevailed from the
weftward; but as it was not confidered prudent to Venture through lb
intricate a channel, and of which fo little knowledge had been obtained,
F f 2 • on