She coasted north again and picked up the survey at Cassini Island once more.

At Careening Bay, where they had occasion to stay for some time, Cunningham was again very fortunate in his collections.

Returning homeward by way of the west and south coasts, the little cutter was almost wrecked off Botany Bay.
The Mermaid was now overhauled and condemned, and in her place H.M.
Storeship Dromedary, re-christened the Bathurst, was placed under the command of Lieutenant King.

This was Cunningham's fifth voyage as collector with the same commander -- a very clear proof of their compatibility of tastes and temperament.

As before, the Bathurst ran round the east coast and resumed her work on the north-west of Australia.
While thus engaged she was found to be in a dangerous condition, and went to Port Louis to refit.