'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from January 1847 to May 1849. Edited by the Secretary. Volume VIII.' [‎217] (326/496)

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above the level of the sea, bearing S. by West, distant four miles, the
latitude then being 10° S. and longitude 145° 50 / E. I have been in
duced to mention this remarkable rock, as it seems an excellent mark in
making these dangerous reefs, for the bearing of such an object would
fix the correct position of a ship, and the commander could then steer
with more confidence and accuracy towards any of the openings in the
Great Barriers he may be inclined to choose. This is most important; for
frequently in these latitudes the sky is so overcast with clouds, that ob
servations cannot be taken for days together. This rock has never been
noticed either by Captains King, Flinders, or Horsburgh. At sunset the
Captain thought it prudent to heave to for the night, and early the next
morning made sail and stood again to the northward in search of Cum
berland’s Passage, the weather unsettled, with passing clouds and a hazy
atmosphere. At nine A. M. sighted Boat Beef, the centre bearing W. by
S., distant three miles, longitude by chronometer 144° 47 7 E., differing
from Captain King, in the position he assigns to this reef, by seven miles
further to the eastward. At noon the peak of Murray’s Island was just
visible through the haze, bearing W. S. W., latitude 9° S., longitude
144° Steered S. W. by W., two miles, and, as soon as the Island
bore W. by S. S., stood direct for it, keeping about 200 yards from the
western reef of the Great Barrier. At Ih. 30m. a small opening was
discerned amidst the line of breakers : immediately edged away for it, W.
by W., in twenty-five fathoms ; and, as we neared the gap in the reefs,
our soundings Measurements of the depth of a body of water. decreased to sixteen fathoms, altering our courses as cir
cumstances required, from W. K. W. to N. W. by W., and at Ih. 45m.
passed through the Barriers in safety by Cumberland’s entrance, and
anchored in uneven ground, in sixteen fathoms, white and red coral sand,
about 200 yards from a patch of sunken rocks. This channel is a very
narrow one, not more than a cable’s length in width, and about a quarter
of a mile long: it is dangerous to make, and no vessel ought to attempt
it unless she can work easy, and is well manned: it requires also strong
nerves, as well as firmness and decision, on the part of the commander,
whilst threading his way through the intricate and perilous navigation
of the Barrier Reefs. On anchoring, we experienced a strong ebb tide
setting to the S. Eastward, which lasted till three T. M. The surrounding
reefs were then nearly dry, and at 3 h. 30m. p. m. the flood commenced,
and in the space of an hour all were again covered, the current setting
in through this passage at the rate of three miles an hour—the rise and
fall in a short space of time being several feet.
The scene, as we approached the Great Barriers, was truly grand, and