Page:Narrative of a survey of the intertropical and western coasts of Australia, Volume 1.djvu/443

 Rh trending to the N.E. Wishing to ascertain its extent to seaward, as well as to pass round its windward side, We steered along its south-eastern edge; and, after proceeding for some time, first in a N.E., then a North, and afterwards, in a N.N.W. direction, found ourselves running through a narrow channel formed by another considerable reef, l, to the eastward, and lying in a parallel direction with m: the breadth of this pass, or channel, varied between one and two miles. At nine o'clock, having run about ten miles, a break appeared in the innermost reef, m, through which we made an attempt to pass. As we approached it our soundings quickly decreased, yet still we hoped to effect our object; but, suddenly shoaling the water to five fathoms, and, at the next heave, to ten feet and a half, with the coral rocks almost grazing the vessel's bottom, the helm was put down;—fortunately she stayed, and we escaped the danger. There was every appearance of a termination of the reef a few miles further to the north-east, but the glare of the sun was so deceptious that I preferred returning by the way we came; and having a leading fresh wind, we were, by noon, steering between the south-west end of the reef m and the woody islands 2 and 3 of Claremont Isles.

Between this and Cape Sidmouth, several