In fact the whole coast hereabouts was fronted by a kind of bar of sand, distant about two hundred yards from the shore, with not more than two feet water on it.
Between this and the shore the water was tolerably smooth and two fathoms deep.

It was upon this outer bar that we had struck, and the other boat experienced the same fate as ourselves.

We of course passed a miserable night in our drenched and wretched state; but it was at all events some comfort, when we heard during the night the boisterous wind blowing outside, to feel that we were safe ashore.
DAMAGE TO OUR PROVISIONS.
March 8.
As soon as we had sufficient light for the purpose I proceeded to examine the stores.

The flour was not very good at starting; it had been packed in small bags, that being the most convenient form to have it in both for stowing and transporting it on men's shoulders; and in the hurricane which we had experienced on Dorre Island this flour had got thoroughly soaked: from that period to the present time it had been constantly wet with salt water; last night's adventures completed its disasters and it was now quite spoilt and an unwholesome article of food; but having nothing else to eat we were forced to satisfy ourselves with it, and I directed it to be dried in the sun and then carefully repacked.

The wind was from the south-south-west, about half a gale, and there was such a tremendous surf on the shore that to launch the boats was impossible.