_The Brothers_, bearing S. 55° to 69° W. three miles, it was judged
necessary for the boats to sound, before proceeding further. This
anchorage was in latitude 9° 43', and longitude 142° 40'; and, besides
the islands already mentioned, there was in sight a mountainous island,
to which the name of _Banks_ was given, bearing S. 43° W., twelve or
thirteen leagues; also _Burke's Island_, S. 13° W. eight or ten leagues;
and _Mount Cornwallis_, on another island, N. 29° W. six or eight
leagues; and from behind this last, to N. 7° W., there extended a level
land, which was supposed to be a part of the coast of NEW GUINEA.

Sept. 12. The vessels followed the boats to the westward; but were
interrupted by reefs, and obliged to anchor again before noon. The water
had shoaled gradually, and there was then only 6 fathoms: the bottom a
coarse, coral sand. Two other islands were then in sight: a low one,
named _Turn-again Island_, bore N. 53° W. about four leagues; and
_Jervis' Island_, which is rather high, S. 48° W. nine leagues. A reef,
with a dry sand upon it, extended from S. 7° E. to 62° W. four or five
miles; another was distant three miles to the west; and a third bore N.
18° W. five miles. The latitude of the anchorage was 9° 41' south, and
longitude 142° 24' east.

A fresh gale from south-east did not allow the Providence and Assistant
to proceed onward for three days. In the mean time, the passage between
the reefs to the N. W., was sounded by the boats; and found to contain
about 5 fathoms, regularly, upon hard ground. They were also sent to
examine the passage round the southern reefs; and this being deeper, with
a superior bottom, it was chosen as the preferable route.

Sept. 16. The vessels passed to windward of the southern reef; and
steered south-westward, as it trended, in from 7 to 5 fathoms water,