In The Narrow Channels Which Divide The Shoals, And
Those Which Communicate With The Sea, The Tides Run Strong; But Their Rise
And Fall Are Inconsiderable, Not Exceeding Three Feet And A Half.
The time
of high-water, at the full and change, at Balade, is about six o'clock; but
at Botany Isle we judged it would happen about ten or eleven o'clock.
[1] Mr G.F. very plainly avows his conviction that they were trees,
which on a prodigious tall stem had short and slender branches, not
discernible at a distance. Captain Cook, it is very evident, uses the
language of banter, not quite consistent with either the dignity of
his own character, or the respect due to even the mistaken opinion of
men of science. - E.
[2] "We were becalmed in the evening among the reefs, which surrounded
us on all sides, and made our situation dangerous, on account of the
tides and currents, as well as for want of anchoring-ground, having
sounded in vain with a line of 150 fathoms. At half past seven o'clock
we saw a ball of fire to the northward, in size and splendour
resembling the sun, though somewhat paler. It burst a few moments
after, and left behind it several bright sparks, of which the largest,
of an oblong shape, moved quickly out of our horizon, whilst a kind of
bluish flame followed, and marked its course. Some heard a hissing
noise, which accompanied the swift descent of this meteor. Our
shipmates expected a fresh gale after its appearance; having
frequently observed the same to ensue upon similar occasions.
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