Page:Narrative of a survey of the intertropical and western coasts of Australia, Volume 1.djvu/312

 250 SURVEY OF THE INTERTROPICAL lsI9.' sght'totthe westward of our course, (S.W.S.) Jy. between which and the range of Wessel's Islands I intended to pass; but after staclin E on for sane' diStance through the channel, ag_,,Jst a strong fide 'setting at the rate of, three miles and a half per'hour, it was perceived that the opening formed' a communication with Arnhem Bay. Being convinced 'of the fact, we tacked, and passed round the northernmost extremity of the western range of islands, for doing which we had. nearly paid dear i a strong .rippling was perceived to extend for three miles off the point; but, as it appeared to b occasioned by' the tide setting round it,' we stood on with the intention of going through them. Near their edge soundings were suddenly obtained with nine fathoms, and succes. sire casts decreased the depth to six, five, and three and three.quarters fathoms; the helm was put adee to return, but the wind at the same moment dying away, the vessel became ungovernable, and was drifted over the spit; fortunately, however, ' we found sufficient depth to prevent striking. As soon as the danger was passed, the water deepened to nine, and, in a few heaves, we found no bottom with thirteen fathoms; the night was passed at . anchor, and the next morning we resumed our course to the southward in a parallel direction with the coast; at noon our observation proved Digitized by Googlc

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