their time keeper being incorrect its longitude was not ascertained

Naming

In 1820 an extract from the log book of the ship ''Claudine'' was published which described the discovery of Elizabeth Reef

Claudine and Marquis of Hastings, May 16, 1820, at 2:30 pm saw a range of breakers (from the masthead) in the NW quarter. At 4, tacked when they bore SW. At 5pm when within 2 cables length from the reef sounded in 14 fathoms, hard rocky ground when a ¼ of a mile from it 25 fathoms, then no ground. The east side of this reef lies about SSW and NNE one mile, but the greatest extent appeared to be from the ESE to WNW. The whole does not seem to be more than 3 miles in circumference having deep water within, and forming nearly a quadrangular the edges of which (with the exception of a few rocks are covered and the sea runs high over them. I saw no passage through therefore after asserting it situation we resumed our course to the Northward Latitude of the reef 30 5' S longitude by time keeper 159 E. This being a new discovery, I have called it Elizabeth's Reef

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