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1802 Aug: [Saturday] - 14th. Boat excursions for the examina[tion of the rivers of Keppel Bay]

we entered the southern branch of this arm south east river, and rowed up it in a S.S.E. direction for 3 miles, finding about 3 fms. in it, nearest to the eastern shore, and the breadth of it near 3/4 of a mile. At this distance from the entrance it divided into two, but we pursued that which kept the general direction about 1 mile farther, where there was but 4 and 5 feet. On coming back to the other which led to the S.W.ward we found 3 and 4 fms. but it did not run furt more than 2 miles up before it became quite shoal, and our search amongst the mangroves for a place where to land at was fruitless; and therefore I returned to the ship at 11 at night. -
    The Lady Nelson had returned from the hummocky island, not having seen a turtle. The island does not appear to afford any good [anchor]age, or is there wood or water upon it worth the attention of a ship. {No islands appeared to the N.E.ward
   At 8 A.M. I left the ship to examine the middle arm, and after passing over the spit which runs from the east point of entrance found a good channel leading up on the eastern shore with from 4 to 51/2 fms. in it. We landed at the foot of the small south hill on the west side, which I intended to ascend in order to gain a better knowledge of the branches which intersect the land on the south side of the bay; this, however, the thickness of the trees and shrubs, and the strength of the