Description of the Bay of Despair.
The Entrance of the Bay of Despair lies between the West-end of Long Island and Great Jervis Island, (an Island in the Mouth of the Harbour of the same Name) the Distance from one to the other is 1 Mile and a Quarter, and in the Middle between them is no Soundings with 280 Fathoms.
Great Jervis Island. Great Jervis Harbour is situated at the West Entrance into the Bay of Despair is a snug and safe Harbour, with good Anchorage in every Part of it, in 16, 18 or 20 Fathom, though but small will contain a great Number of Shipping, securely sheltered from all Winds, and very convenient for wooding and watering. There is a Passage into this Harbour on either Side of Great Jervis Island, the southermost is the safest, there being in it no Danger but the Shore itself. To sail in on the North-side of the Island, you must keep in the middle of the Passage, until you are within two small Rocks above Water near to each other on your Starboard-side, a little within the North Point of the Passage; you must then bring the said North Point between these Rocks, and steer into the Harbour, in that Directions will carry you clear of some sunken Rocks which lie off the West Point of the Island; these Rocks appear at Low-water. The Entrance into this Harbour may be known by the East-end of Great Jervis Island, which is a high steep craggy Point, called Great Jervis Head, and is the North Point of the South Entrance into the Harbour.
North Bay. This is an Arm of the Bay of Despair, which extends to the Northward 5 Leagues from Great Jervis Island. In this Bay is very deep Water, and no Anchorage but in the small Bays and Coves which are on each Side of it. At the Head of the Bay of the East, which is an Arm of the North Bay, is a very fine Salmon River, and plenty of various Sorts of Wood.
Eagle Island. To the Northward of Long Island, the Bay of Despair extends itself to the NE. about 8 Leagues, whereon are several Arms and Islands. The first is Eagle Island laying on the North-side of Long Island, about half a Cable's Length from the Shore; a little to the Eastward of it is a small Cove, wherein small Vessels can Anchor in 5 Fathom Water; off the E. Point of this Cove are some sunken Rocks, the outermost of which lay a quarter of a Mile from the Shore, and appears at half Ebb.
Frenchman's Harbour. This harbour lies on the North-side of Long Island, 2 Miles above Eagle Island, in and before which Vessels may anchor in various Depths of Water; about a Cable's length to the Eastward of the West Point of the Harbour is a sunken Rock whereon is 8 Feet Water; a little way further to the Eastward is a small Island not far from the Shore, near to which is a Rock that just Covers at high Water.
Isle Bois. On the North-side of the Bay, opposite to Long Island, lies the Isle Bois, it is near 3 Leagues in Length, and of a tolerable Height; the Passage on the North-side of it (called Lampadois Passage) is very safe, but very deep Water.
Fox Island. This Island lies nearly in the middle of the Bay, between the East-end of the Isle of Bois and Long Island, it is of a round Form, pretty high, and bold too all round.
Isle Riches. The Isle Riches lies off the East-end of the Isle of Bois, it is about a Mile in Circuit, and pretty high; on the East-side of it are some small Islands, and some sunken Rocks quite a-cross from the Island to the Main, so that in sailing up the Bay of Despair, you must leave this Island on your Starboard-side.
Little River. This is an Arm of the Bay laying in to the Eastward from the Isle of Riches, it is very narrow, and counted a good Place for a Salmon Fishery; its Banks are stored with various Sorts of Wood.