[page 24]

[1802 July [Saturday] - 31st.H.M.S. Investigator]
in Herveys Bay
 [Astronomical observations not reproduced - see original journal]

The bank over which we passed in 31/4 fms. seems to run parallel to the spit, and probably is a part of the same upon which we had 10 and 5 fms. yesterday P.M. The deep channel between these seems to be of moderate breadth
     In order to give our botanists an opportunity of examining the productions of Sandy Cape, I determined to remain at an [anchor] here one day; and sent a boat on shore this evening to make a commencement in our acquaintance with the natives, in order to save time
    By the master, (whom I sent to assist the L. Nelson through the passage, though he was too late) I desired Mr. Murray to [anchor] near us and to come on board, that I might learn the cause of our seperation and to prevent the like in the future. In the evening he came, and it appeared that he had laid to off shore from Midnight to nine A.M. of the 24th. instead of tacking at midnight as we had done the wind being a perfect gale to them in the brig. From thence he had kept at a considerable distance from the shore to this place and had met with southerly currents setting to the southward; whereas we had met with them in a contrary direction, being close in with the shore, generally.