Sid mouth Point.
Barrow’s Bay.
of the truth. We observed in 27° 00 15" north, at which time
the northern extreme bore east 59° south, nine miles by
estimation, an inference which was checked by the distance
run on a direct course afterwards. The longitude is 128 9
east, or 31' east of the observatory.
The coast from the north point runs south-east by east,
with some minor deviations, nearly four leagues: great pains
were taken to ascertain this precisely, as the former charts not
only place it many miles further north, but make the coast
a t this end lie east and west. The north-east point lies in
26° 47' north, and longitude 128° 18' east, or 40' east of the
observatory. The latitude was determined by the meridian
altitude of Sirius and an altitude of Polaris, so near daylight
that the horizon was well defined; but as this point, off
which there is a small island, was some miles north of the
ship a t the time of observation, the above latitude may err
possibly two miles. I t was intended to have examined two
islands which lie to the north-eastward of the north point,
but a strong current in the night carried us so far to leeward,
that we could not effect this object; the situation, therefore,
of these two islands, may perhaps not be accurately laid
down in the chart.
The deep indenture about the middle of the east side
of the island is unsafe to enter during the north-east monsoon
: as the wind, however, had westing in it, we sailed up to
within three or four miles of the top, carrying from thirty
to twenty fathoms water; but when about to haul in for the
north side, where there appeared to be a bay, we shoaled
suddenly from twenty-four to eight fathoms: the helm was
instantly put down, and when head to wind, we had only
five fathoms. While in stays the water was observed to
wash on a rock not a hundred yards to leeward of us, on
which we must infallibly have struck, had we bore up
instead of tacking.
From the north-east to the south-east point, the coast “ ;'“tcoait
runs south 40° west; the shore to the north-east of this deep
bight is bold, and seems clear; that on the south-west side
of it presents a formidable barrier of islands and coral reefs,
which break to a great distance: in fine weather this part
of the coast ought to be approached very cautiously.
The southern extreme of this island lies in latitude south Point.
26° 4' 46" north, determined with great care by the meridian
altitude of the sun on shore; and in longitude 127° 35' east,
or 3' west of the observatory. There is good anchorage
from twenty to thirty fathoms, south a little easterly, of this
point. Between this point and the group of islands.to the Reef,
westward, there is a dangerous reef, already spoken o f; it lies
in 26° 7' north, and 127° 26' e a st; it bears 26' west, 15° north
from the south point of the island, distant eight miles. Immediately
round the point on the west side, there is a shallow
harbour, formed by coral reefs, but the entrance is narrow
and intricate.
We stood over to the largest of the south-west group, on sonth.we.tem
. group.
the east side of which there stands out a conical rock,
behind which it was thought that a harbour might lie, but
upon examination, it proved only fit for b o a ts; it lies in
26° 11' north.
Reef Island lies west by north, about two leagues from JUefisUnd.
Napakiang Roads; on the north side the reefs stretch a
great way, but the south is more clear.