This very day it is possible to experience the same strange force which surprised Captain James Cook in 1770 . While exploring the Australian east coast, Captain Cook noticed that his compass went haywire when he sailed by a mountainous island , so named it Magnetic Island .
Today the vehicular barge service which runs between Townsville and the island experiences the same interference as that of Captain Cook . A Little Darwin roving reporter discovered this situation when he went to pay for a car on a barge. The woman handling the transaction twice encountered difficulties printing out the ticket with the computer and said it happened regularly when the vessel was close to the island .
When asked if it was the same situation as experienced by Captain Cook, she replied in the affirmative, added that it could also affect settings in the wheelhouse . So there you are , me hearties and landlubbers, you can sail in the wake of Cap'n Cook , not get scurvy during the voyage , and be greeted by hula girls when you land - in your dreams .
