'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from January 1847 to May 1849. Edited by the Secretary. Volume VIII.' [‎233] (342/496)

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tage, I presume, might be taken of the inner passage of the Great Bar
riers : with a steamer there would be no difficulty experienced.
Early the following morning, the 29th of July, we were again visited
by our sable friends, but none of them came on board, though a little
bartering was carried on alongside by some of the idlers, whilst the crew
were busily engaged making sail and preparing for a start. At 7 h. 30m.
A. M. the anchor was weighed, and as the vessel cast with her head to
the Northward, the sails caught the full force of the breeze, and set her
bounding like a fawn over the bright waters of this coral sea. No sooner
were we fairly off than Mahdoo, who had been watching intently all our
operations, suddenly waved his hand as if in adieu, and before we were
aware of his intentions, sprang from the poop taffrail into the sea, and
swam to the nearest canoe;—the natives at the same time shouting and
vociferating loudly, and we could see them for a long time after, still
dancing and waving palm branches, evidently showing by these signs
that they regretted the departure of the Tigris, Thus ended our visit to
this hospitable and friendly Isle, and though it may be the last, yet I
should rejoice if fortune ever again leads me amongst this simple-mind
ed and kind-hearted people.
Steering to the N. Ed. under all plain sail, with cloudy weather,
and fresh trade S. E. blowing, passed over about a mile and a half
off the shore, a strong ripple with soundings Measurements of the depth of a body of water. of eight and a half
fathoms, hard bottom. At 7.50, when the peak on Murray’s Island
bore S. | W. 3^ miles, kept away N. W. by West ; least water
twenty-five fathoms. At 8 A. M. the island bore S. E. by E., distant
about five miles. Here discovering that we had missed Cumberland’s
Passage, in consequence of the erroneousness of the charts, hauled to
the wind and stood to the S. W., retracing our steps with the hope of
getting once more into the fair channel: but after several fruitless at
tempts, found ourselves at last in a worse position than before, being
now in a complete labyrinth of reefs,—working to windward of some, and
bearing away to leeward of others; at times sailing over several detach
ed rocks with three or four fathoms on them, and so clear was the sea
that they seemed literally within a foot of the surface. I fancied seve
ral times the vessel must strike on them, and that nothing but a miracle
could save her; but fortunately the eye was deceived, and all were pass
ed in safety. We were obliged, however, to keep a boat ahead the
whole time, to sound and to warn us of any sunken rocks that might
be in the w r ay,—Captain Igglerden being himself at the masthead,