any break in it that gave the least hopes of a channel fit for a
ship.[71-2]

The islands, which I called Murray's Islands, are four in number, two of
them are of considerable height and may be seen twelve leagues. The
principal island is not more than three miles long. It is well wooded and
at the top of the highest hill the rocks have the appearance of a
fortified garrison. The other high island is only a single mountain
almost destitute of trees and verdure. The other two are only crazy
barren rocks. We saw three two mast boats under sail near the reef, which
we supposed belong to the islands. Murray Islands lie in Latitude 9 deg. 57'
S. and Longitude 216 deg. 43' W. We kept turning to the Southward along the
reef until the 28th in search of a channel and in the forenoon of that
day we thought we saw an opening through the reef near a white sandy
island or key, and a little before Lt. Corner was sent in the yawl to
examine it. At three quarters past four he made the signal that there was
a channel through the reef fit for a ship, and after a signal was made
and repeated for the boat to return on board, and after dark false fires
and muskets were fired from the ship, and answered with muskets by the
boat repeatedly to point out the situation of each other. We sounded
frequently but had no ground at 110 fathoms.

At about twenty minutes after seven the boat was seen close in under our
stern and at the same time we got soundings in 50 fathoms water. We
immediately made sail, but before the tacks were on board and the sails
trimmed the ship struck upon the reef when we were getting 41/4 less 2
fathoms water on the larboard side, and 3 fathoms on the starboard side.
Got out the boats with a view to carrying out an anchor, but before it
could be effected the ship struck so heavily on the reef that the
carpenters reported that she made 18 inches of water in five minutes, and
in five minutes after there was four feet of water in the hold. Finding
the leak increase so fast found it necessary to turn all hands to the
pumps and to bale at the different hatchways. She still continued to gain
upon us so much that under an hour and a half after she had struck there
was eight feet of water in the hold, and we perceived that the ship had
beat over the reef where we had 10 fathoms water. We let go the small
bower and veered away the cable and let go the best bower under foot in
15 fathoms water to steady the ship. At this time the w