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[1802 Aug. Sunday - 8th.continued. H.M.S. Investigator] Boat excursion up No.1, port, of the east coast

The port itself may be of much utility, since its depth of water is equal to any want, and the shelter it affords complete. Wood it has in abundance, of the common kinds about Port Jackson, called gum-trees; and fresh water was found under the hill, called Hill View, at the back of the 1st. island; but it was in holes only. I did not find any water worth the attention of a ship during my excursion, but upon both sides of the northern entrance it was found by our gentlemen in various ponds and swamps; and there is little doubt but that a days examination for water would find it in sufficient abundance Fish appeared to be plentiful, and some were speared by the native in Bongaree who was always an attendant upon my boat. The natives inhabitants seem to get turtle, and 3 were seen in the water by different people. The shores abound with oysters, amongst which are the pearl oysters; but they are found in tolerable abundance higher up, than the entrance, sibut we were not able to get one with the dredge in the northern entrance. I saw no quadrupeds, and but few birds during the excursion, pelicans, gulls, and curlews excepted. - The tide rose but 4 feet up the river in the day time at the neap tides, but I should judge that at the springs it must rise double that quantity, from the appearance about Rocky Islet. The bottom is rocky, where the tides