In passing near the rocky islet which lies off the south-east end of Wednesday Island we narrowly escaped striking upon some rocks, two of which were seen about fifty yards off under our lee bow, on which the sea broke heavily.

As we passed round the north side of Wednesday Island, six natives were observed running along the beach, waving their arms and hallooing to us:  previous to their appearance a large fire had been kindled by them in the woods over the beach, evidently with a view to attract our attention, but in vain, for we were too much occupied for the safety of the vessel to attend to them.

In passing the rock off the north end of Hammond’s Island the tide was observed to be rushing past it, with great rapidity to the westward.

At half past one o’clock we hauled up towards the south end of Good’s Island, intending to anchor there for the night, that we might have the whole of the next day to leave the Strait.  About half a mile from the shore the anchor was let go in seven fathoms gravelly bottom, but in checking the cable the arm of the anchor broke.  The strain in bringing up was not so violent as to have caused the accident, had the anchor been properly made; but to its ill shape, and being badly wrought, our misfortune is to be attributed.  It was made at Port Jackson.  On another occasion it might have caused the loss of the vessel; but fortunately a few hours’ daylight and a clear run before us enabled us to proceed, and before sunset we passed Booby Island.  A remarkable coincidence of our losses upon the two voyages has now occurred:  last year at the North-West Cape we lost two anchors just as we were commencing the survey, and now, on rounding the North-East Cape to commence our examination of the north coast, we have encountered a similar loss, leaving us, in both instances, only one bower anchor to carry on the survey.

Booby Island is a mere rock, the retreat of boobies (Pelecanus fiber, Linn.) and turtles of the hawks-bill species.  Some slight vegetation was perceived upon it but it was so entirely covered with the excrement of birds that it had the appearance of being white-washed.  The number of these birds was almost incredible, and they hovered over and about us as we passed, as if to drive us from their haunt.

The loss of two anchors prevented our trusting the third while smarting under our misfortune, or we should have anchored under Booby Island to have obtained some sights for the time-keepers, as well as to have furnished the crew with a fresh meal of turtle.

Eleven weeks had now elapsed since leaving Port Jackson; during which time I had been able to lay down the different projections of the coast and our track within the barrier reefs between the Percy Islands and Cape York; besides having surveyed Port Macquarie, examined Rodd’s Bay, and constructed our boat at Endeavour River.