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Revised Sep 16 2021

Flinders's Providence Logbook Sep 5, 1792

Remarks Wednesday September 5th 1792 H M S Providence Amongst Islands off the South Coast of New Guinea

 1 pm: Moderate Breezes and fair Weather Assistant leading Cutter and Whale boat ahead sounding – Lead constantly going Bottom Clay and Sand

 3 pm: ½ past 3 Brought up with the Small Bower in 21 Fathom sandy Bottom – Handed Sails and veered to ½ Cable – The Cutter and Whale boat sent to examine the Passage to Leeward betwixt the Sandy Key and Island A – About 7 they returned had favourable Sounding but found it too late to examine the Dangers – Prepared them for the Morning – At 8 Found the Current setting NW ¾ Mile

12 mid: Fresh Breezes and fine Weather heavy Clouds flying over – At 1 Slack Water before 3 the Current set to the SE

 4 am: Strong Breezes and cloudy – The Boats sent away to examine the Passage

 7 am: Hazey Weather Saw several large sailing Canoes to the SWestward – One very near the Cutter. Before 9 the Current set to the NWestward and is the Flood

11 am: At ½ past 11 the Whale boat returned, but the Cutter made the Signal for Assistance – The Pinnace sent to her

12 noon: At Noon Weather more moderate Pinnace* and Cutter pulling towards the Ship, a strong Tide against them –
* well manned and armed

A S50°W September 4th At 9 AM distant 4 or 5 Leagues

This Island is about [blank] Miles in Circumference and to the Southward surrounded by extensive reefs, we saw no Bay in it – the high Part of it is dry and sandy but below covered with Wood, principally Trees of a tolerable Size. its Inhabitants are black as Negroes, dextrous in managing their Canoes which are very large – These People appear to be the same race as those of New Guinea, according to the Discription given of them by Authors – See some Account of our Intercourse afterwards with them – The Island will be in Latitude [blank] and Longitude [blank] East of Greenwich.

B D C Septemver 5 AM from the anchor Place

I am not certain whether these are not all one Island we saw no Inhabitants upon it or any Signs. it is likewise surrounded with reefs but we were not near enough to discover their particular Direction. the Circumference of the whole may be about [blank] Miles B will be nearly in Latitude [blank] South and Longitude [blank] East but for the Keys &c See the Plan of them and our Passage thro' here after

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