[page 68]

[1802 Aug. [Tuesday] 17th H.M.S. Investigator in]
Keppel Bay - East Coast
[Astronomical observations not reproduced - see original journal]

The absence of the two people who had staid on shore all night, making it necessary to wait, I took the boat early on Monday morning and went to Cape Keppel from whence I had a tolerable view of the neighbouring isles, and it was too late to move before I was able to return. - C. Cook had passed between the largest of the Keppel Isles, finding the water too shoal between them and the main; and on that account I purpose to pass further without, to gain as much knowledge of the navigation amongst them as may be. Lt. Murray had seen smoke upon the largest isles when he was upon the hummocky isle off Cape Keppel, which agrees with C.Cs [Captain Cook's] account of their being inhabited. -
    The water being very thick and muddy in all the rivers which fall into the Keppel Bay, and this water running towards the sea at the latter part of the ebb, is very deceiving in its appearance; for the deepest channels contain the thick water, whilst those places in which there is little tide will contain the sea water which is clear. The colour of the water, therefore, must be taken in a contrary sense in indicating shoals in this case, to what it is usually taken