Page:Narrative of a survey of the intertropical and western coasts of Australia, Volume 2.djvu/401

 375 A. point, fronted by  shoal, and the ehnnne_-I is on the eastera 8ec. V. side of the river, with thirteen feet water. Here the river W. (')as. widens and forms a basin, two miles and a half wide: a little above this the river is blocked up by shoals and islets (HEltasoq ISLES,) between which the depth is not more than two or three feet, but afterwards deepeas gradually from ve to fifteen feet: the banks 'of the river are then not more than one-third of st mile wide, and then eontinne in a serpentine eouree, with a channel from seven to ten feet .deep, and free from shoals, as far as the Freneh boats ex- antined it. The stream of the river ran very slowly, and winds through a valley, one side of which is abrupt and precipitous, and when it eeasos to be so 'on one side, the heights immediately appear on the other." In front of this river is a group of islands, of which two only are of large size, viz., ROTTUT and Buscaw. We an- ehored on the north side of the former, bnt broke the fluke, from the rocky nature of the bottom. On the N.E. sido of the island, the anchorage is better, slnos it is more sheltered. Rottneet Island is five miles long: it was dis- covered by Viaming in ]69�ts shores are very rocky and dillieult to !end upon, particularly those of its northern side, which is fronted by rocks. Off its north point there are some rocky islets, and on the north-east side a eon- venient landing plaen in & sandy bay, where boss may put ashore with gresa faeility. The island is eovered with & pine*like tree, which is very good for fire-wood, but no fresh water was found in any part; the French were equally unsuccessful in their search. The north*east point of Kottp nest Island is in 31 � 3(Y' S., and 11'6 �12' E.; and the variation 4 � W.

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