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1798               a mile distant, sounded in twenty-one fathoms. From this point, the
February         land lies S.W. ½ S.; and towards Bateman Bay about N.N.W. At five
Saturday 3       mile from the point we saw the appearance of an opening, whose heads shut on at W b S, the entrance being from the North-east, and apparently about half a mile wide. From the distance of the high land within, which seemed to leave a large vacant space forming like a basin, we judged there might be a good harbour in here. It is about seven miles south of Bateman Bay, and therefore should be in 35° 43' south. At noon, the east point bore north-by-west six or seven miles, but the weather being hazy, we got no observation for the latitude. By steering south-south-east with a fresh north easterly sea breeze, we soon after made land on the weather bow, which proved to be an island one mile and a quarter long, north and south; but nearly divided into two parts, the sea appearing to break over the isthmus at times.
    We were surprised to find an island lying near two leagues off the coast: none being noticed by captain Cook, who passed this part on a fine morning, as appears by his getting lunar observations; which circumstance indeed, from engaging his attention, might have been the reason he did not see it. From the number of seals about, we termed it Seal Island. It is rocky, but has brush and trees upon it, and is not very low. We saw no beach, or other place, where a boat might land except in very
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* The bearings are all by compass, unless it is otherwise expressed.