termed
the " inner passage" of Torres Straits, of the previous discovery of
which, as before narrated, he was ignorant. These straits are one mass
of islands, reefs, and shoals, the latter being the most dangerous, as
they can only be seen during the former portion of the day, the
navigation being considered unsafe after an hour or two beyond the
sun's passage of the meridian,—for which reason, ships passing through
them then usually come to an anchor under the lee of one of the reefs.
The navigation is at all times difficult, and, with a contrary wind,
impracticable. The water is never deep, and towards the narrowest part
of the strait it is seldom more than twelve or fourteen fathoms, and
often not above half as much; hence arises the necessity for having the
sun in such a position that the shoal portions can be distinctly seen
from the difference in the colour of the reflection from the water. In
no part of the world is such extreme care requisite in the navigator,
and in no part is the greatest vigilance so often thwarted by the
wreck of the vessel.
From
this description, the difficulty of first encountering such a
navigation with safety may be estimated, as also the vigilance of such
navigators as Torres and Cook, to both of whom it was new. Cook,
however, like hig predecessor, safely threaded these intricate
passages, and like him arrived at the extreme northern point, which he
named Cape York. Having anchored between some islands in the vicinity,
subsequent explorations convinced him of the practicability of a
passage into the Indian Sea,—a passage now familiar to most seamen. On
one of the islands spoken of he landed, and having displayed English
colours, he took possession of his discoveries, from which
circumstance the island is still called Possession Island. It lies in
about 10° 30' south latitude.
The
formality which Cook used in this ceremony shews that he was entirely
ignorant of the discoveries of Torres, which through the jealousy of
the Spanish monarchs had been lost. Upon this point his own words are
conclusive. They were as follows :—" As I am now about to quit the east
coast of New Holland, which I have coasted from latitude 38° to this
