At six o’clock in the morning, we were abreast of some small islands, which we called FRANKLAND’S ISLES, and which lie about two leagues distant from the main land. The most distant point in sight to the northward bore N. by W. ½ W. and we thought it was part of the main, but afterwards found it to be an island of considerable height, and about four miles in circuit. Between this island and a point on the main, from which it is distant about two miles, I passed with the ship. At noon, we were in the middle of the channel, and by observation in the latitude of 16° 57’ S. with twenty fathom water. The point on the main, of which we were now abreast, I called CAPE GRAFTON: its latitude is 16° 57’ S. and longitude 214° 6’ W. and the land here, as well as the whole coast for about twenty leagues to the southward, is high, has a rocky surface, and is thinly covered with wood: during the night we had seen several fires, and about noon some people. Having hauled round Cape Grafton, we found the land trend away N.W. by W. and three miles to the westward of the Cape we found a bay, in which we anchored about two miles from the shore, in four fathom water with an ouzey bottom. The east point of the bay bore S. 74 E. the west point S. 83 W. and a low, green, woody island, which lies in the offing, N. 35 E. This island, which lies N. by E. ½ E. distant three or four leagues from Cape Grafton, is called in the chart GREEN ISLAND.

As soon as the ship was brought to an anchor, I went ashore, accompanied by Mr. Banks and Dr. Solander. As my principal view was to procure some fresh water, and as the bottom of the bay was low land covered with mangroves,

Voyaging Accounts