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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[MAY, 1902.
from the fourth island, and across the eastern entrance there is a Bar of sand and Coral, with only 3 ms. on it.
The fifth island is low and almost bisected by the apposite Bays, on the north and south sides of the island the Water is deep and the soundings are pretty regular.
The Bays and Inlets (now Elphinstone Harbour] are formed by the three islands, north of Strait island (of which long island is the northern) are too Confined and intricate to be of material use, though they might afford Shelter, in the Case of being driven in, by distress. • Abreast of the south end, opposite the Middle and towards the North extreme of long island there are three dangerous patches of Coral, about two miles distant from the island. To avoid those and the large Coral Shoal northwest from the north Button; it will be safe, not to Approach that part of the Coast closer than bringing the North Button to bear North,
The small Inlet (now Rangat Bay) in Latd. 12° 29 is very remarkable having a Boll Blaff point, of either side The entrance is narrow and there is not Sufficient depth within for ships. There is an extensive reef from the north point and there is rocky ground about half a league beyond it.
From this part of the Coast, to the Lata, 12° 45 the land rises rather abruptly to a Considerable height. The direction of the coast is almost due north for five leagues, and then trends to N N E. to Stewarts sound with three small projecting points. Between the second and third of those, there is a Coral Bank, which extends a league to sea, with 10 fms on the outer edge and Shoaling very quick from that depth to 4 and 2 fms.
Stewart Sound is very extensive Consisting of three large branches. The entrance in Latu. 12:58 is to south of sound Island, and Appeared perfectly clear quite across to passage Island; which is small and surrounded by a white sand beach. It will Appear by the Chart, that the western, or inner Branch, is well Sheltered and the soundings are regular. The outer or southern Branch is more exposed ; and two patches of Coral being found, makes it probable that there may be yet others undiscovered. The northern Branch is more Confined and it has not sufficient depth for large Ships. The passage to Northward of sound Island is too intricate for large ships, and it requires further examination.
From Stewart Sound, the Coast runs in almost a direct line N by E. The soundings are very regular extending from the land a league and a half to the depth of 100 fms. There is a break in the land [Tara-lait] one league and a half north of Stewart Sound which has the appearance of an Inlet. From the north entrance of the sound, the land rises abruptly from the sea and forms a large Ridge with a regular and gentle ascent to the south peak of the saddle, which may be Been twenty leagues distant in clear weather The north peak of the saddle is due north from the south peak distant one mile and three qnarters with a Considerable hollow between them. From the north peak the decent is Steep and irregular, and after forming a variety of Valleys terminates in the southern part of Port Cornwallis. The decent from the saddle to the sea is so Steep in some places, as to be withont vegetation There is one rivulet of fresh water which has its source from the south peak and there are Appearances of several more which have not been examined,
On this part of the const the soundings extend from it about four miles and are perfectly regular Craggy Island is bold baving 12 fms, very close without it, the north part is Connected with the great island by a reef.
The entrance of Port Cornwallis is in Latt. 18° 17. Being the first Oppening to Northward, and so ncar the Saddle, marks its situation with peculiar precision. The access is easy being two thousand five hundred yards broad. It is bounded on the North by a Reef extending from Ross island, and on the Opposite side by south Reef which is separated by a narrow Channel, from Dundass point. The Spit extending from South Reef, to North east is extremely
