hose islands (particularly the easternmost)...From Kent's Group you
will run on a straight course to Wilson's Promontory noticing the course
and distance, soundings and quality of the bottom...From Wilson's
Promontory you will trace the coast between Point Schanck and Cape Albany
Otway...From thence you will run to Harbinger Rock lying off the
north-west point of King's Island...You will make the circuit of that
island or islands in addition to the King's instructions respecting new
discoveries...You will carefully examine...all within 6 miles round the
island to ascertain whether a vessel may anchor. Having completed the
survey...you will ascertain the time of bearing...between the south
westernmost point and Albatross Islands, the northernmost of Hunter's
Islands and the Pyramid. Having completed...your survey thus far you will
ascertain to what distance soundings may be got to the westward of the
Norfolk's and Lady Nelson's passages taking care to traverse across to
the latitude of 42 degrees on the south side and within sight of land on
the north side or coast of New Holland (Van Dieman's Land) until between
38 and 42 degrees...As you stand in on the New Holland side you will
examine the coast between Cape Albany Otway and Cape Solicitor which
Lieutenant Grant named Portland Bay the bottom of which he did not see.
Should you have time I would wish you to run due south from Cape
Solicitor as far as 40 degrees and work back again to Cape
Bridgewater...you will employ another month...in tracing the coast from
Cape Banks...In returning to this port you will deliver all such journals
and charts as may have been completed...during your intended voyage.

"Should you fall in with H.M.S. Investigator you will communicate these
instructions to the Commander...and put yourself under his command. And
in case you fall in and are come up with by the Naturaliste and
Geographe, French vessels on discovery, you will produce your passport
from His Grace the Duke of Portland to the Commander of that expedition.

"PHILIP GIDLEY KING.

"SYDNEY, October 31st, 1801."

CHAPTER 5.

MURRAY'S EXPLORATION OF BASS STRAIT.

The Lady Nelson set forth from Sydney on her mission on November 12th,
1801. Obeying Governor King's orders, Murray steered first towards the
Kent Group.* (* The Kent Group was discovered by Lieutenant Matthew
Flinders in the Francis, and named by him in honour of Captain William
Kent of H.M.S. Supply. The group was s