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1802 Aug: Boat excursion in No. 2, port, discovered [on the east coast]
Bearing N.64º12' to 67º45'Et. by theodolite; and the sea was visible at 345º over ^a) shoal dry place into which it appears to flow when the tide rises. This appears to be the bight behind Island Head as marked in C.Cs [Captain Cook's] charts.
From the inner south point to this place, we found no deep water, except close to the point. The great part of the western branch is dry at low water, but there are small irregular channels amongst the sands in which there is sometimes 3 or 4 fms. These sand banks are frequented by ducks, and the channels abound with flat fish, mullet, and sharks.
In the afternoon, I returned to the southern branch and ascended a high round hill which stands close to the shore, on the east side, from whence Cape Manifold and the isles in the offing were visible as well as the whole extent of the southern part of this port. In coming across, the water was very variable in its depth, but on coming near the shore the water was it became deep as off the inner south point and I believe there is a channel, of ten or more fathoms along this shore, but it does not probably go far up the southern arm. I judge, that a ship might make fast to the trees or rocks on shore, and lie in a sufficient depth of water, having an [anchor] to the westward. As it was dark by the time that I had descended from the hill, it was too late to ascertain the
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