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1802 Aug: [Sunday] - 15th. Keppel Bay. General remarks [during the boat excursions up the arms]

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-groves.- The water in all the arms is very muddy, which seems to arise from the consistence of the bottom and shores, and from the rapidity of the tides. This prevented our native from spearing any fish, for they seemed to abound generally. Ducks, pelicans, white and other cranes, curlews, and sea-pies are met with frequently. - In the muddy swaps about the small south hill, the small fish mentioned by C. C. [Captain Cook] which leap about on shore, are very common; as also a small but pretty kind of red crab, which has but one large red claw which he carries as if upon his back.
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     On leaving this small south hill, in the boat, as soon as the tide floated the boat, which was not before 9 at night, I attempted to trace the deep channel out to the ship, and succeeded so far as to keep 3 fms. water, but I suppose there must be more in the middle of the channel: we arrived on board the ship at 11.
The south hill being thickly covered with shrubs, I offered a boat to the botanists to visit it which they accepted, but they did not find much novelty.
Speaking generally of Keppel Bay I think it to be of little value. Fresh water can be procured, but we found no place where it would not be attended with difficulty. Our [anchor]age seems to be as good as any other for a ship who came in only for a few days. Wood is easily procured and water may be found in small