Page:Voyage in search of La Perouse, volume 1 (Stockdale).djvu/523

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Jan.]
OF LA PEROUSE.
485

As we were embayed upon the coast, by a wind at S.S.W. we were obliged to tack.

21st. At noon, we were in latitude 43° 44′ S. and longitude 144° 16′ W., when the Mew-stone bore W. 16° 30′ S., the Eddy-stone S.S.E. 1° E. and the nearest land about N.N.W. at the distance of 1,540 toises.

22d. Very early this morning, we were at the entrance of the Bay of Tempests. The wind blowing from the E.S.E. hindered us from entering Dentrecasteaux's Strait, where we intended to anchor in a bay which we had explored the preceding year, and which was extremely commodious for giving our ships all the necessary repairs. But we were obliged to enter the Bay of Rocks, a name, which some rocks almost level with the water, situated near its middle, had induced us to give that bay, which is the first on the larboard, on entering the Bay of Tempests, and lies in the direction of north-east and south-west. The Esperance anchored there in very good time.

Having proceeded up this bay, about one-third part of its length, we found but sixteen feet of water; and consequently it would not have been prudent for us to go farther, without sounding all the way, which was the easier to be done, as

we