"The 6th of August in the morning we saw an opening in the land and we ran into it, and anchored in 7 and a half fathom water, 2 miles from the shore, clean sand"
- William Dampier
About this Quote
This quote is from the English explorer William Dampier, who was one of the first Europeans to check out the coasts of Australia. On the 6th of August, he and his crew were cruising along the coast when they spotted an opening in the land. They rapidly sailed into it and anchored in 7 and a half fathom water, which is about 13.5 meters deep, and 2 miles from the coast. The bottom of the sea was clean sand, which was a good sign that the location was safe for anchoring. This quote shows the enjoyment and anticipation of the team as they explored the unidentified land. It likewise shows the ability of the navigator, who was able to precisely determine the depth of the water and the range from the coast. This quote is a testimony to the guts and skill of the early explorers, who ventured into the unidentified and made great discoveries.
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