ing the north side of the west entrance point, comprise all the
dangers on entering this port; which, although of considerable size, is
much occupied by shoal water, particularly on the western side,
commencing from abreast of Talc Head. The best anchorage is near Point
Emery. The extreme of the latter, and a clump of peaked bushes on the
south point of the eastern arm of the harbour, when in one, make a good
mark for leading out; passing on the west side of the four fathom bank,
where the channel is a mile wide and 10 fathoms deep.

IRREGULARITY OF THE TIDES.

The tide is very irregular in Port Darwin, rising at springs 24 feet, and
at neaps sometimes only two; its rate being from one and a half to three
knots. The time of high-water at the full and change of moon, was
half-past five, which being half an hour earlier than at Clarence Strait,
fully bears out the opinion I have before expressed, that the flood-tide
comes from the westward.

Having to beat out against the seabreeze, the flood-tide made before we
could get round the point on the coast lying midway between Ports Darwin
and Patterson, and we were compelled to pass the night in the
neighbourhood, a circumstance rendered disagreeable by the recurrence of
another midnight squall from East-North-East, so severe as to require the
use of a second anchor. The rain was so bitterly cold and sudden, as well
as violent, acting also on our frames with more severity from the
lightness of our clothing, that it had all the effect of a shower-bath,
momentarily taking away the power of speech. It caused a rapid fall in
the thermometer of ten degrees, bringing it as low as 60 degrees. At Port
Darwin it had been regularly 87 and 89 degrees in the day, and 80 degrees
at night.

MIDNIGHT SQUALL.

The squall gave but slight warning of its approach, and four hours
afterwards the mutinous assemblage of clouds had wholly disappeared from
the heavens, leaving nothing to stay the advent of light which came
pouring itself in floods of molten glory over the cloudless sky, as the
morning broke. This was the signal of our again moving towards Port
Patterson, which we entered, passing on the eastern side of the reef in
the mouth, and anchoring close to the eastern shore of the outermost of a
chain of sandy islets, forming the west entrance point of the harbour,
and extending eight miles in a North-North-East 1/2 East direction from
the land. This group is based on a great coral ledge