Page:Narrative of a survey of the intertropical and western coasts of Australia, Volume 1.djvu/213

 coss'rs ot AUSTRALtA. 153 hauled round the point of land, which forms the western head of the outer road of Macquarie Jn. Harbour, which I amed Cape Sorell, in compli- ment 'to the IAeutenant-Governor of Van Die- men's Land. Between this Cape and Point Hibbs the coast is very rocky, and ought not to be approached. Off the Cape, at the distance of a quarter of a mile, is a detached rock, on which the sea continually breaks. It was dark before we reached an anchorage off the bar of the harbour; having had to work against a strong S.S.E. wind, blowing directly out. The anchorage was rather exposed to the. N.W.; but, as the weather had a settled ap- pearance, I was reconciled to remain for the night, which tamed out fine. At daylight the bar was sounded, and a buoy a. placed on its deepest part to indicate the channel; on which, at that time of tide (about half-flood) there was nine feet water: this was sufficient to allow us to pass it; but in order to prevent delay,_ I caused the cutter to be lightened as much as possible; and having reduced her draught to seven feet and a half, by emptying the water- casks, she was warped over the bar to an an- chorage between it and the entrance. As the cutter passed the shoalest part she struck twie,

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