, with the Cap and Turtle-backed
Island behind, bore S. E. by S. to S. 1/2 E. four miles; and Mount
Cornwallis N. 16 deg. W.

The water continued to shoal; and at three p.m., the ships anchored in 5
fathoms, sand, shells, and stones; the Brothers bearing E. by S. 1/4 S.
five leagues, and Mount Cornwallis N. by E. 1/4 E. There were two large
islands in sight in the S. S. W. 1/4 W. to S. W. 1/4 S., at the distance of
eight or ten leagues; and many nearer reefs in the same direction.

July 29. The long boat was sent to sound in the north-west; and when the
ebb tide slacked, the ships followed: wind at E. S. E. The soundings
increased from 5 to 7 fathoms; and afterwards varied between these
depths, until noon; when the latitude observed was 9 deg. 42' south.* The
Brothers then bore S. 64 deg. E.; Mount Cornwallis N. 38 deg. E; and a long, low
island (Turn-again., of Bligh,) N. 35 deg. to 58 deg. W. At three p.m. the reefs
were so numerous, that the ships were obliged to anchor, until the boats
could sound for a passage: the depth here was 41/2 fathoms, on a bottom of
rotten stones and coral.

[* This latitude is from 4' to 6' more _south_ than captain Bligh's
positions; and the same difference occurs in all the observations, where
a comparison can be made.]

July 31. They weighed, and hauled the wind eastward, to pass round
Turn-again Island; bearing away occasionally to avoid small reefs: the
soundings 51/2 to 4 fathoms. After passing round, they anchored in 5
fathoms; until the boats should sound between the reefs which appeared on
every side: Turn-again Island then bore S. 56 deg. to 83 deg. W. about two
leagues, Mount Cornwallis N. 56 deg. E., the Brothers S. 50 deg. E.; the latitude
observed was 9 deg. 32', and longitude from four sights of the sun and moon,
140 deg. 58' east. Next afternoon, in proceeding to the north-westward, the
Chesterfield struck upon a bank in eight feet water; but the coral giving
way to the ship, she went over without injury. In the evening, they both
anchored in 41/2 fathoms, gravel and shells; Mount Cornwallis bearing E. 1/4
S., and a long tract of land from N. W. by N. to N. E., at the distance
of five or six leagues. Turn-again Island bore S. S. E. 3/4 E. to S. 1/2 W.,
four miles; and thither the ships ran on Aug. 3, and anchored in 33/4
fathoms, fine sand, within a quarter of a mile of the shore; the extremes
bearing S. 58 deg. E. to 60 deg. W. The purpose for which they came to this
i