be Evans’ and Franklin’s Isles, and 9 and 10 would be Point Brown and Cape Bauer, which lie to the south-east, instead of north~east; and in this case the islands which I suppose to be St. Peter’s, and that of Lound, will not have been seen.  The question is, in fact, of no importance, other than what arises from a desire to do justice to the Dutch navigator; and on this head, I trust there can be no accusation.  My opinion coincides with the first explanation; and unless an island exist to the south-west of St. Francis, and I am tolerably certain that none lies within five leagues, a correspondence more free from objections cannot easily be pointed out.

CHAPTER VI.

Prosecution of the discovery of the unknown coast. 
Anxious Bay. 
Anchorage at Waldegrave’s and at Flinders’ Islands. 
The Investigator’s Group. 
Coffin’s Bay. 
Whidbey’s Isles. 
Differences in the magnetic needle. 
Cape Wiles. 
Anchorage at Thistle’s Island. 
Thorny Passage. 
Fatal accident. 
Anchorage in Memory Cove. 
Cape Catastrophe, and the surrounding country. 
Anchorage in Port Lincoln, and refitment of the ship. 
Remarks on the country and inhabitants. 
Astronomical and nautical observations.

[SOUTH COAST. FROM NUYTS’ ARCHIPELAGO.]

TUESDAY 9 FEBRUARY 1802

At daybreak in the morning of Feb. 9, when the anchor was weighed from Petrel Bay to prosecute the examination of the unknown coast, we were unexpectedly favoured with a refreshing breeze from the westward; and our course was directed for Cape Bauer.  At noon, the latitude from mean of observations to the north and south, which differed only 1’, was 32 deg. 43’ 17”; but although our distance from the land could not be more than three leagues, no part of it was distinguishable; the haze was very thick, but it was of a different nature, and had none of that extraordinary refractive power which the atmosphere possessed during the prevalence of the eastern winds.  At one o’clock, Olive’s Island was indistinctly perceived; and at two we came in with Point Westall, and then steered south-south-eastward along the coast at the distance of four or five miles.  At six, a bold cliffy head, which I named CAPE RADSTOCK, in honour of Admiral Lord Radstock, bore N. 75 deg.  E., six or seven miles; and the land seemed there to take another direction, for nothing beyond it could be perceived.  The wind was at west-south-west; and we kept on the starboard tack till eight o’clock, and then stood off for the night.

WEDNESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 1802