On the 9th a strong breeze necessitated anchoring in Cavalli Bay* (* So named by Cook.) where the natives were no less friendly and came to trade with the crew. On the 12th a strong gale and heavy sea drove the Lady Nelson four lengths towards the shore. Her commander was forced to cut the cable after beating for two hours, weathered the land and bore up to run between Cavalli Island and the mainland. Eventually the Lady Nelson arrived at Norfolk Island on June 22nd, when it was found possible to land the officers of the New South Wales Corps and to embark others from the same regiment for Sydney, among them being Ensigns Piper and Anderson. The brig sailed on the 29th, and in passing the entrance of Hunter's River, on the evening of July 8th, she sent a boat off to the settlement at Newcastle, where it was reported that all was well. She arrived in Port Jackson on July 9th. She was then overhauled, and on September 8th sailed for the Hawkesbury in order to fetch a cargo of wheat for Sydney.

LOG OF THE LADY NELSON.

J. SYMONS, Acting Lieutenant and Commander,

Port Jackson, New South Wales.

Sydney to Norfolk Island.

"Monday, 30th April 1804. P.M. Left the Heads. Winds variable. At 4 North Head of Port Jackson 4 leagues. At 8 the Francis in sight. At 1 A.M. light breezes and clear. At noon the Francis in company.

"Tuesday, 1st May. In company with the Francis at 5 lost sight of the Francis.

"Friday, 4th May. Fine clear weather: at 5 A.M. saw How's Islands upon the weather bow bearing north-north-east distant 5 leagues, Ball's Pyramid bearing north-east 1/2 F. distant 6 leagues. At noon abreast of How's Island east: distant 3 leagues.

"Saturday, 5th May. Tacked ship and stood in for How's Island.

"Sunday, 6th May. P.M. Hard squalls of rain. How's Island west by north 7 leagues.

"Monday, 7th May. P.M. Still blowing hard: at 6 took in the fore-top-sail: at 4 split the main-sail and fore-top-mast stay-sail. At 9 fine pleasant weather: employed about a new main-sail and bending a fore-top-mast stay-sail.

"Tuesday, 8th May. P.M. Fresh breezes and fine clear weather: at 4 bent new main-sail: at 10 bore away for New Zealand. Have but 2 casks on board and no wood.

"Tuesday, 29th May P.M. Cloudy weather with squalls.

"Wednesday, 30th May. Small breezes and fine weather. At 8 A.M. tacked ship: at 9 split the fore-top-gallant-sail and carried away the main-top-gallant-yard.

"Thursday, 31st May. Moderate winds and cloudy weather. At 7 set up the main-top-gallant yard and set the sail: at 4 A.M. set the lower and fore-top-mast studding sail. At 8 carried away the fore keel pendant and lost the keel, at 10 took in the studding sail.

"Friday, 1st June. Small breezes. At 3 calm, light breezes and fine weather.

"Saturday, 2nd June. Cloudy with squalls of wind and rain. At 5 took in the main-top-gallant-sail.

"Sunday, 3rd June. P.M. Fresh gales with squalls and bad sea from east-south-east. At 2 saw the Three Kings being south-west by west 3 leagues.

"Monday, 4th June. P.M. Bore away to leeward of the Three Kings and in search of wood and water, sent boat ashore, lost 4 oars overboard. At 7 P.M. the boat came on board with wood.

"Tuesday, 5th June. At 1 made sail close under shore of New Zealand.

"Wednesday, 6th June. Land distant 2 leagues: came to anchor in bay on the east side of New Zealand: went ashore, got some wood and water: at 6 A.M. went on shore again and got some water: at 9 A.M. got under weigh and bore away for the River Thames.

"Thursday, 7th June. P.M. At 6 came to anchor in a small bay to the northward of River Thames. At 7 went on shore, found it a bad landing: could not get water: got some wood. At 9 got under weigh and stood round for the mouth of the River Thames.

"Friday, 8th June. P.M. At 3 came to anchor on the north-west side of River Thames with the bower anchor in 11 fathoms water and sent boat ashore for wood and water. At 11 weighed anchor and made sail out of the river on account of the natives being so numerous on board.

"Saturday, 9th June. Cloudy weather: all sail set standing along the coast. At 12 A.M. Cavill's Island bearing north-west distant 10 miles. At daylight made all sail into the bay bearing west: tacked occasionally: at 11 shortened sail and came to in 10 fathoms of water with best bower anchor.

"Sunday, 10th June. Moderate breezes: at 2 sent boat ashore: at 6 returned with wood and water.

"Monday, 11th June. Got some wood and water: at 10 wind north-north-west—hard squalls of wind and rain.

"Tuesday, 12th June. At 6 the boat came on board with wood and an account that James Cavanagh a prisoner who was sent to cut wood had run into the Brush and that a party of men had been in pursuit of him and could not find him and he was left behind: at 1/4 past 9 a heavy squall: gave the vessel more cable: found her driving in shore very fast: the gale continuing and a heavy sea. Set the top-sail, main-sail and fore-top-stay sail and cut the cable, not being able to get anchor on account of vessel driving so fast: the anchor was lost, 120 fathoms of cable. 1/4 before 10 tacked ship, 10 past 10 began to run between Cavill's Island and mainland, not being able to work out of the bay, up keel and fore-sail down jib and main-sail. At 11 being quite clear of land shortened sail and hove to.

"Wednesday, 13th June. P.M. At 9 more moderate. Latitude by observation 33 degrees 8 minutes.

"Thursday, 14th June. P.M. Fine clear weather: at 8 took one reef in the main-top-sail and set the stay-sail.

"Friday, 15th June. P.M. Light airs, clear weather: set the fore and main courses: at 9 fresh breezes: took in top-gallant sails: at 10 strong breezes and squally: at 12 A.M. tacked ship and close reefed top-sail, furled the jib and main-sail and sent down top-gallant yards.

"Saturday, 16th June. P.M. Fresh breezes and clear: at 1 got main-top-gallant yard up and set the sail.

"Sunday, 17th June. Light airs from northward. Set the square main-sail: at 12 tacked ship.

"Monday, 18th June. P.M. Light wind and clear weather: at 8 wore ship.

"Tuesday, 19th June. P.M. At 12 saw Norfolk Island bearing south 1/2 east distant 7 leagues.

"Wednesday, 20th June. P.M. At 5 Norfolk island distant 6 leagues. At 8 Norfolk island distant 4 leagues.

"Thursday, 21st June. P.M. At 4 Norfolk Island distant 5 leagues: at sunset Norfolk Island distant 5 leagues: at 8 Norfolk Island S.E.E. 3 leagues: at 9 fired 3 guns as signal for a boat.

"Friday, 22nd June. P.M. A boat from Cascade boarded us and took on board the officers of New South Wales Corps and baggage and left a pilot on board: at 10 A.M. a boat came and took on shore more baggage belonging to officers of New South Wales Corps.

"Saturday, 23rd June. P.M. Stretched off land to get round to Sydney (Norfolk Island) but the wind and weather not permitting stretched off and on all night: at 6 close in with the land: at 8 A.M. tacked ship and stood off from the land: at 10 A.M. lowered the boat and sent her with second mate and four men on shore.

"Sunday, 24th June. P.M. Stretching off and on the land to the windward. At 8 A.M. a boat arrived from the shore with a cask of pork and biscuits, the 2nd mate and 2 men brought the account that the boat was lost and that 1 man George Cockswain was drowned. At 10 loaded the boat with sundries for the shore but not being able to make good her landing returned to the ship. We stood off for Governor King's island with the boat towing astern.

"Monday, 25th June. P.M. Fresh breezes. At 4 P.M. stretched under Nepean island and left the boat waiting to land at Sydney if the swell abated: stretched off with ship to windward between 2 islands to keep her ground: at 10 A.M. got under Nepean Island and boat came on board with water which was loaded with iron and sent ashore.

"Tuesday, 26th June. P.M. At 2 loaded the boat with flour and sent her on shore: at 8 A.M. towed in for Nepean Island and the boat came on board.

"Wednesday, 27th June. P.M. Employed landing goods and getting water: at 8 A.M. got under the land and fired a gun: at 9 A.M. the boat came on board with baggage for officers of New South Wales Corps for Port Jackson.

"Thursday, 28th June. P.M. Received orders and passengers on board: made sail for Port Jackson.

"Wednesday, 4th July. P.M. Light breezes and clear weather. Punished J. Druce with 24 lashes for theft.* (* Druce subsequently deserted.) Sold clothes and bedding of George Cockswain.

"Thursday, 5th July. P.M. Light airs and clear weather. Exercised guns and small arms.

"Friday, 6th July. P.M. north-north-east. Light winds and cloudy: small breezes with some rain and from then until noon calm with some rain.

"Saturday, 7th July. P.M. Strong breezes: at 6 A.M. saw the land, Port Stephens bearing north by east 5 leagues: at 11 A.M. off the Coal River, fired 2 guns, hoisted out boat and sent her on shore. Light winds and cloudy weather.

"Sunday, 8th July. P.M. Small breezes: at 2 tacked ship: at 6 the boat came on board: hoisted her in and made sail for Port Jackson. At 12 A.M. light winds: at 7 made the North Head of Port Jackson: at 12 came to with the kedge between the Heads.

"Monday, 9th July. P.M. At 3 got under weigh and at 6 arrived in Sydney Cove, hauled alongside the Supply and made fast. The officers of New South Wales Corps went on shore. At 8 A.M. cast off from the Supply and anchored off the dockyard with the Bower, sent passengers on shore.

"Tuesday, 10th July. P.M. Small breezes and showery. Employed clearing decks and putting things to rights and sending things on shore belonging to the officers of the New South Wales Corps.

"Wednesday, July 11th. Overhauling ship at the dockyard and refitting, etc. until September 7th.

Sydney Cove to the Hawkesbury River.

"Friday, September 7th. P.M. Employed getting on board water and getting ready for sea.

"Saturday, September 8th. At 12 A.M. got clear of the Heads.

"Sunday, 9th September. At 4 stood in between the Heads and came to off Camp Cove: at 8 A.M. got under weigh for the Hawkesbury.

"Monday, 10th September. P.M. Came to between South Head of Broken Bay and Ballinjoy*: (* Barrenjoey.) at 12 came to off Mount Elliott. At noon under weigh.

"Tuesday, 11th September. P.M. Came to off Britannia's beach at 2: at 5 came to with the kedge in Barr's Reach—at 10 under weigh.

"Wednesday, 12th September. P.M. Came to at 3 in Freshwater Bay: at 9 winds more moderate: Got under weigh and towed ship up river to Seven Reaches: at 10 A.M. got under weigh.

"Sunday, 16th September. P.M. Came to anchor off the Greenhills.

"Monday, 17th September. P.M. Fine pleasant weather. Got out flour and bricks: 3 carpenters came on board to work.

"Tuesday, 18th September. P.M. At 8 hard gusts wind with rain: at A.M. more moderate.

"Wednesday, 19th September. P.M. At 9 got under weigh for Cornwallis Farm. At 1 came to anchor: at 8 A.M. hauled in shore and got out remainder of flour and cleaned hold to receive wheat.

"Thursday, 20th September. P.M. Received wheat and dropped down river: at 9 came to anchor: at 6 weighed: at 7 ran aground.

"Friday, 21st September. P.M. At 2 got off and towed down river: at 5 moored off Greenhills: at 7 A.M. received wheat on board.

Greenhills to Sydney Cove.

"Saturday, 22nd September. P.M. Moderate breezes. Fired a Royal Salute in commemoration of the King's Coronation: received remainder of wheat: at 5 A.M. unmoored and went down the River.

"Monday, 24th September. P.M. Small breezes and moderate: half-past 3 got under weigh: at 10 came to with the kedge in Pugh's Reach: at 5 A.M. got under way: at 11 A.M. came to in Sackville's Reach.

"Tuesday, 25th September. P.M. Small breezes: at 4 endeavoured to weigh anchor: parted hawser: lost kedge and 116 fathoms of it: proceeded down the River. At 11 came to anchor: at 5 under weigh: at 12 we came to anchor in reach above Sentry Box and went up a creek in a boat 5 miles. Discovered at the head of the creek a fine spring of water; brought on board a Gigantic Lily of a species unknown.

"Wednesday, 26th September. P.M. Fresh breezes: at 4 got under weigh; at 11 came to anchor above the Bar: at 5 A.M. weighed; at 8 passed Mullett's Island: at 10 spoke a sloop of Ballinjoy bound for Hawkesbury: at 11 cleared the Head of Broken Bay and stood off for Port Jackson.

"Thursday 27th September. P.M. Fresh breezes: at 2 made Heads of Port Jackson and proceeded up the Harbour: at 3 P.M. came to anchor in Sydney Cove: at 6 A.M. hauled into the wharf: at 9 discharged cargo."

[Facsimile signature James Symons]

Commander.



CHAPTER 10.

THE LADY NELSON IN TASMANIA. THE FOUNDING OF PORT DALRYMPLE.

The beginnings of Hobart and Launceston are singularly alike. The first attempt of the newly appointed Commandant of Port Dalrymple to reach the site of his intended settlement in the colonial cutter Integrity, having "ended in failure owing to adverse winds," Lieutenant-Governor Paterson left Sydney on October 15th, 1804, in H.M.S. Buffalo. The Lady Nelson went with her as tender, as the Navy Board had notified Governor King that their Lordships wished the brig to accompany the Buffalo while on survey, and for this reason 15 supernumerary seamen were allowed to the flagship in order to provide a crew for the Lady Nelson.* (* In consequence of this order the Lady Nelson, after October 16th, was discharged from the list of colonial vessels.) The colonial schooners Integrity and Francis also received orders to sail with Captain Kent to Port Dalrymple.

On Sunday morning, the 14th, Lieutenant-Governor Paterson went on board the Buffalo with Ensign Piper and Mr. Mountgarrett under a salute of 11 guns from the Fort, which was returned. Forty-six officers and men of the New South Wales Corps had previously been embarked and twenty prisoners, while the Lady Nelson also carried troops and settlers to the settlement. That evening the fleet came to at the entrance of the harbour, being unable to clear the Heads until the following morning. Outside a high sea was running, and as the ships voyaged southwards the bad weather increased. It is recorded that on the night of the 20th a heavy gale almost "blew the ships back to Port Jackson." A few hours before this gale commenced the Francis had parted company with the Buffalo, but the Lady Nelson and the Integrity remained with the king's ship until the end of the storm, when both vessels lost sight of her. The Lady Nelson, having split her fore-and-aft mainsail, bore up for Twofold Bay to refit. On the 21st she again put to sea only to meet with another storm of still greater violence, which stove in her bulwarks, washed overboard her boats, compasses, and many articles belonging to the Government. The ship consequently returned once more to Twofold Bay to effect repairs. In lieu of a boat, a raft was rigged up to carry the men on shore to obtain water, and at the same time the carpenter was sent to cut spars from "Ruff trees." On November 3rd, after having made a fruitless attempt to face the gale, she weighed and sailed out of the bay. At the entrance she met the George, schooner, from Sydney bound to the Derwent, and was supplied by the master with a boat's compass and other much-needed articles. Bad weather continuing until Flinders' Island was sighted, Symons decided to beat up through the narrows into Kent's Bay, where he found the Francis also seeking shelter. On the 13th the two vessels left Kent's Bay in company to try and reach their port of destination, but as the storm had not yet abated they bore away for Waterhouse Island and took refuge there. Finally, on November 21st, the two little ships with torn sails and splintered masts arrived at Port Dalrymple, both in a thoroughly disabled condition, but those on board, in coming into the harbour, saw with satisfaction the British colours flying on shore, and the Buffalo and the Integrity lying safely at anchor.

Lieutenant Symons learned that the Buffalo had arrived alone on the evening of November 3rd and had moored four miles within the port. Next day she dragged her anchors, and in spite of every exertion, touched, fortunately, upon a flat rock. By a spirited effort on the part of the crew she was floated undamaged, her anchor was slipped, and she was taken three miles higher up the harbour. On the 4th the Integrity arrived, and on the 10th possession was taken of the country on behalf of Great Britain with the usual formalities.* (* Captain Flinders had already taken possession of this port and Governor Hunter had named it after Alexander Dalrymple.) The Lieutenant-Governor was saluted with 11 guns by the flagship as he landed, and a Royal Salute was fired when the Union Jack was hoisted. On the 13th the general disembarkation took place from the Buffalo and Integrity at a spot called Outer Cove, where Lieutenant-Governor Paterson had fixed his camp. Its surroundings were delightful, the harbour extending inland for many miles without interruption. A party of Tasmanian natives on the 14th were encountered by some of the colonists in the bush. At the sight of the white men they gave a furious shout and 200 of their number followed the British back to their camp. Here overtures were made, and they grew somewhat more conciliatory. But Paterson's friendly endeavours were now and then interrupted "by an indignant clamour which, beginning with a single individual, ran rapidly through their lines accompanied by excited gesticulations," the natives "biting their arms as a token either of vengeance or defiance.* (* Letter describing the founding of the Port Dalrymple settlement. Sydney Gazette December 23rd, 1804.) The blacks withdrew peaceably, but were positive in forbidding us to follow them."

On November 22nd the officers, soldiers, and prisoners were sent on shore from the Lady Nelson, and on the following day the baggage as well as the bricks brought from Sydney to build the houses of the settlers. On November 29th the Buffalo and the Integrity left Port Dalrymple. The Lieutenant-Governor, Ensign Piper and Mr. Jacob Mountgarrett then went on board the Lady Nelson and proceeded to examine the harbour and the upper reaches of the river. On this expedition Colonel Paterson occasionally went on shore, sometimes taking Lieutenant Symons with him, and penetrated some distance into the surrounding country. Several places were named, and land suitable for cultivation was seen. The pasturage was very luxuriant. Fresh water too was found in sufficient abundance and, added to these natural advantages, good stone and timber were plentiful, the latter growing on the high ground. In surveying the country the Lieutenant-Governor found a more suitable site for a settlement "at the head of the Western Arm" between two "runs " of fresh water which were named by him Kent's Burn* (* Discovered by Captain Kent.) and M'Millan's Burn.* (* Called after Mr. M'Millan, Surgeon of the Buffalo.) He decided to move the people to this spot without delay,—giving the place the name of Yorktown.* (* Yorktown settlement soon gave place to Georgetown, and in 1806 the settlers were moved to the spot where Launceston now stands.) The main river he called the Tamar, two other streams the North Esk and the South Esk, a neighbouring mountain, Mount Albany, and the hills to the westward, the Rothesay Hills.* (* Sydney Gazette, January 6th and 25th, 1805.)

On the return of the expedition to Outer Cove the bricks and other articles which had been left at the camp there, were removed to the Western Arm. The mud flats proved rather an obstacle in the way of the vessels' progress, and we read that more than once the Lady Nelson ran ashore during the undertaking; however, eventually the passengers, bricks and baggage were safely landed.

On December 29th the Francis sailed for Port Jackson, but the Lady Nelson was detained by the Lieutenant-Governor until January 11th in order that Lieutenant Symons might assist in carrying out further surveys, and also to erect beacons in the harbour to facilitate the safe entry of ships into port.

The important work carried out by the Lady Nelson at Port Dalrymple will be found recorded in the log of her Commander, which is as follows:—

THE LOG OF THE LADY NELSON.

AT ANCHOR IN SYDNEY COVE.

JAS. SYMONS Lieutenant and Commander.

"Tuesday, 2nd October 1804. P.M. Got on board 2 cables, 1 hawser, 1 anchor, 1 grapnel and provisions for 6 months. Received order from Governor King to act as Lieutenant and Commander.* (* The Governor had then received an Admiralty order to make the appointment.)

...

Sydney to Port Dalrymple.

"Sunday, 14th October. At 5 A.M. got under way: at 8 fresh breezes: came to with the small bower in company with the Buffalo, Francis and Integrity.

"Monday, 15th October. At 6 A.M. got under way: made sail occasionally to work out of Harbour.

"Tuesday, 16th October. At 6 A.M. squally with heavy rain. Cape Dromedary bearing south-south-west: ships all in sight.

"Wednesday, 17th October. P.M. Fresh breezes and cloudy: land in sight. Lay by for the Francis.

"Thursday, 18th October. Squadron in company: set main top-gallant sail: saw the land off Ramhead distant 12 leagues.

"Friday, 19th October. P.M. Split fore-and-aft main-sail at 7...hove to. At 11 lost sight of the Buffalo—at 8 made sail and bore away for Twofold Bay. At noon strong breezes: Cape Howe distant 4 miles.

"Saturday, 20th October. P.M. Past Green Cape—at 5 came to with the small bower on the east side of Twofold Bay: got under way and stood out of Bay. At noon off the Isles.

"Sunday, 21st October. P.M. At 6 Cape Howe 5 leagues. At 3/4 past 10 A.M. perceived a heavy gale coming on westward, up courses: shortened sail. At 11 strong gales with thunder and lightning and rain: hove to under balance: reefed main-sail.

"Monday, 22nd October. Strong gales with a heavy sea from south-west—at half-past 8 shipped a very heavy sea on the starboard quarter, stove in the bulwark on the quarter gangway. At 3 A.M. shipped another heavy sea which washed overboard the boat, a chest of carpenter's tools, one fore-top-sail, one top-mast studding-sail, 1 tackle, 3 oars, 1 boat-hook, 2 brass guns, one cask of rice, 3 chests belonging to passengers and several things belonging to Mr. Piper and 4 sows, the property of Government, and washed overboard the binnacle, 2 compasses and lamps. At half-past 3 carried away main sheet and broke the tiller, down main-sail: bore up and set the fore-sail not being able to keep the sea found the larboard side of the waist covering board split and leaking a good deal. At 8 heavy gales with squalls and a heavy sea: found the breakers in the hold had raised the water casks and everything in the ship was moved. One cask of rice in the spirit room above, and rice totally lost.

"Tuesday, 23rd October. P.M. Strong gales with a heavy sea. At 2 P.M. close reefed top-sail...carpenter and people employed stopping leak...at noon hoisted up fore keel and found it broken off.

"Wednesday, 24th October. At 8 A.M. bore up for Twofold Bay.

"Thursday, 25th October. Opened the Bay, hauled our wind and set main-sail to work up into the Bay. At half-past 6 came to in 5 fathoms on the South shore with small bower anchor. A.M. At 6 rigged a raft to go on shore: at 9 sent casks on shore for water: sent carpenter to cut spars from Ruff trees: at 10 raft returned with water and at half-past set off again and in going ashore Charles Abercrombie fell overboard and was drowned.

"Friday, 26th October. Fresh breezes: carpenter employed fixing Ruff trees.

...

"Thursday, 1st November. Broke up the raft and got under weigh to work out of Harbour.

"Friday, 2nd November. P.M. all sail set standing to South. At 2 squally with rain: bore up for Twofold Bay...at 6 came to with small bower in 12 fathoms in Twofold Bay.

"Saturday, 3rd November. P.M. Perceived at 2 a sail to south-east: found her to be the George, Schooner, of Sydney bound to the Derwent: got from her a boat's compass and sundry articles: made all sail out of the Bay, the George in company, at 12 Haycock Rock West 3 miles: the George in sight.

"Sunday, 4th November. Fresh breezes and hazy. At noon Cape How distant 4 leagues.

"Monday, 5th November. P.M. Slight breezes, all sail set: at 8 squally: the main top-sail blown out of the bolt rope and was lost.

"Tuesday, 6th November. P.M. At 4 took in all sail.

"Wednesday, 7th November. P.M. Strong gales and bad sea. At 8 blew the fore stay-sail totally away and split the main stay-sail.

"Thursday, 8th November. P.M. At 9 saw Flinders' Isle bearing south-west by south 15 leagues. At noon distant 9 leagues.

"Thursday, 9th November. P.M. At 6 A.M. saw the land: at 8 clear weather, made Cape Barren and beat in through the narrows: at 12 under sail beating up to Kent's Bay.

"Saturday, 10th November. Came to in Kent's Bay with small bower anchor alongside the Francis, schooner.

"Sunday, 11th November. At 3 sent women and soldiers on shore. Mary Poor died suddenly: carpenter made coffin: at 12 went on shore and interred body with funeral solemnities.

"Monday, 12th November. P.M. Sent carpenter to put bilge pieces on boat's bottom.

"Tuesday, 13th November. P.M. Strong gales: at 3 light breezes: hove up best bower and got all clear for getting under weigh in company with Francis: at 8 made Hunter's Island.

"Wednesday, 14th November. P.M. Fresh breezes and fine: at 2 bore away for Waterhouse Island: at 4 came to anchor in 4 fathoms.

...

The Lady Nelson to Port Dalrymple.

"Tuesday, 20th November, 1804. A.M. Close in with northernmost of Waterhouse's Islands: 12 Waterhouse's Island 3 miles. Francis in company.

"Wednesday, 21st November. P.M. Small breezes, at 3 past the island of rocks: at 6 saw the colours flying at Port Dalrymple: fired a gun for the Francis to bear down: at 8 came to anchor in the River in 27 fathoms of water: at 9 A.M. weighed anchor and ran up into the Bay and came to anchor in company with the Buffalo, Francis, and Integrity.

"Thursday, 22nd November. Sent officers, soldiers, prisoners and baggage on shore.

"Friday, 23rd November. P.M. Employed landing bricks and baggage, etc. clearing ship.

...

"Wednesday, 28th November. People on board the Buffalo endeavouring to work out of Harbour.

"Thursday, 29th November. Boats returned from Buffalo, brought to line and kedge P.M., and got small bower anchor and cable: the Lieutenant-Governor came on board from Buffalo: Ensign Piper, Mr. Mountgarrett; five soldiers and 5 boat's crew. At 5 weighed and proceeded up the River: at 10 came to.* (* Off Middle Island.) At 6 A.M. got under way, at 11 let go in 20 fathoms: Lieutenant-Governor went on shore.

"Friday, 30th November. P.M. At 2 boat returned with Lieutenant-Governor and Company: at 3 beat up the River: at 9 came to with a bower and sent boat on shore with Lieutenant-Governor and Company.

"Saturday, 1st December. P.M. At 2 Lieutenant-Governor returned, at 3 got under way, at 11 ran aground and sent out kedge to get off ship. Lieutenant-Governor went on shore. At 12 A.M. we got the vessel afloat, came to with kedge in 2 fathoms.

"Sunday, 2nd December. P.M. Lieutenant Governor came on board. At 10 P.M. got under way: at 7 came to anchor about quarter of a mile below the Cataract River and moored head and stern in 2 fathoms. At 8 A.M. sent off boats with Lieutenant-Governor and Company to survey the River, Land,* etc. (* Paterson began his survey at one Tree Reach where Collins's survey had ended.)

"Monday, 3rd December. P.M. Light airs, making ready to set up rigging.

"Tuesday, 4th December. Employed as before.

"Wednesday, 5th December. At 2 P.M. boats arrived with Lieutenant-Governor from surveying the River to the southwards* (* The South Esk.) and country, at 6 A.M. got under way and proceeded down the River—at 11 came to in the third Reach below the Cataract Falls.

"Thursday, 6th December. Boats went on shore with Lieutenant-Governor at 3, returned, at 4 got under way, at 6 ran on shore on a mud flat, at 11 got afloat at 6 A.M. Boats went on shore with Lieutenant-Governor, at 11 returned, at noon got under way.

"Friday, 7th December. At 5 ran on a mud flat: at 12 P.M. got afloat; at 1 came to anchor in Channel—at 5 A.M. got under way and proceeded down the River.

"Saturday, 8th December. P.M. at 5 got under way: at 8 came to: at 6 A.M. got under way: at 9 came to, and sent Lieutenant-Governor on shore.

"Sunday, 9th December. Two boats returned with Lieutenant-Governor, at 5 got under way: at 8 ran on shore on a reef of rocks, carried out kedge and got off: at 10 came to anchor in Snug Cove: at 5 A.M. boats went on shore with Lieutenant-Governor: at 7 returned and took in seine. Current hove ship on shore. At 10 carried out kedge and warped out of Cove.

"Monday, 10th December. P.M. At 1 boat returned with Lieutenant-Governor: at 7 ran on shore on a mud flat in the mouth of the west arm, at 2 A.M. hove off and rode by kedge: at 5 under way and proceeded up the west arm: at 10 sent Lieutenant-Governor on shore.

"Tuesday, 11th December. P.M. At 2 boats returned with Lieutenant-Governor: at 3 left ship and went to camp in Governor's wherry.

"Wednesday, 12th December. At 5 light airs and fine, got up anchor and made sail. At 10 came to abreast Storehouse Island. At 6 A.M. weighed and towed ship for Harbour: at 7 warped into Harbour.

"Thursday, 13th December. At 5 Lieutenant-Governor came alongside and the Captain accompanied him surveying River.

...

"Tuesday, 18th December. People taking in bricks, etc., for Western Arm.

"Wednesday, 19th December. At 2 ran on shore on a mud flat in the Western Arm, landed passengers, bricks and baggage: at 11 got ship afloat and came to: at 4 A.M. towed down the River.

"Thursday, 20th December. Proceeding up the River for ballast: at 11 came to in a bay in 4 fathoms water.

"Friday, 21st December. P.M. At 2 all hands getting ballast on board, took ground on mud flat: at 5 proceeded down River: at 8 came to abreast Storehouse Island in 18 fathoms.

"Saturday, 22nd December. At 5 under way and came to at 9 in 12 fathoms water.

"Sunday, 23rd December. P.M. Weighed and got into a cove abreast the Settlements in company with the Francis, schooner, at 8.

...

"Saturday, 29th December. At 10 A.M. the Francis sailed for Port Jackson.

"Sunday, 30th December. A.M. Got ballast on board to put into the River.

"Monday, 31st December. P.M. Carpenter employed making Beacon to put on Shag Rock.

"Tuesday, 1st January 1805. P.M. Light breezes...carpenter as before.

"Wednesday, 2nd January. P.M. Fresh breezes: setting up the rigging.

"Thursday, 3rd January. A.M. at 7 laid down Beacon on Shag Rock.

"Friday, 4th January. P.M. Carpenter making chocks for boat.

"Saturday, 5th January. P.M. Light breezes and cloudy. A.M. Getting water and wood on board.

"Sunday, 6th January. At 9 cloudy with thunder.

"Monday, 7th January. Light breezes. All hands away in boats on survey.

"Tuesday, 8th January. P.M. Fresh breezes. At A.M. hauled the seine, carpenter making oars.

"Wednesday, 9th January. P.M. People making booms and getting water. A.M. Got on board a spar for sprit-sail yard: carpenter making new one.

"Thursday, 10th January. P.M. Thunder and lightning and rain: received on board dispatches. A.M. Light breezes getting ready for sea, tried to warp out of cove, Government boat and crew assisting.

Port Dalrymple to Sydney.

"Friday, 11th January. P.M. Strong gales. A.M. Moderate: at 5 unmoored ship and worked out of the Cove: at 6 came to abreast the Green Island: at 9 worked out of Harbour, Government boat assisting: at 10 made all sail: at noon the Seal Rocks bore south distant 5 miles: all sail set for Cape Barren not being able to weather the Sisters.

"Saturday, 12th January. P.M. A fresh gale at 1: at 5 Waterhouse Island bore south 3 leagues, wind dying away came to in Kent's Bay, Cape Barren. A.M. At 6 under way: at 9 got out of the Harbour. At noon Cape Barren bearing west, distant 2 leagues.

"Sunday, 13th January. Furneaux Island south-south-west 7 leagues, at 8 Cape Barren bore south-south-west 6 leagues.

"Monday, 14th January. P.M. Lost sight of land at 6. At 6 A.M. saw the land again. At 9 Port Hicks distant 3 leagues.

"Tuesday, 15th January. P.M. At 4 wore ship and stood off the land: at noon we found we had lost nothing during the night.

"Wednesday, 16th January. P.M. At 3 lost sight of the land. At 3 A.M. fresh gale.

"Thursday, 17th January. P.M. At 12 fresh gales.

"Friday, 18th January. P.M. Cape Howe bore north-north-west 3 leagues. A.M. At noon spoke the sloop Nancy to Port Dalrymple.

"Saturday, 19th January. P.M. Saw the land of Cape Dromedary. At 11 A.M. close in with land.

"Sunday, 20th January. P.M. At 4 close in with land—at 8 Cape Dromedary 4 leagues distant.

"Monday, 21st January. P.M. At 7 close in with the land, hauled off at 11, saw Port Aikin.* (* Port Hacking?) At noon saw the heads of Port Jackson.

"Tuesday, 22nd January. Close in with the Heads. At 2 came to anchor abreast of Camp Cove. At 8 A.M. endeavoured to work up to Sydney Cove.

"Wednesday, 23rd January. At 4 came to anchor in Sydney Cove."

...

CHAPTER 11.

THE ESTRAMINA IS BROUGHT TO SYDNEY. THE LADY NELSON VISITS NORFOLK ISLAND AND TASMANIA.

When the Lady Nelson came to in Sydney Cove, after completing her voyage to Tasmania,, the Governor gave orders that she should be at once placed in dock and overhauled. For the time being, her crew was distributed among the king's ships in port, the Buffalo and Investigator, and the colonial schooner Integrity.

By March 30th the little brig was again afloat. She was made ready for sea in consequence of the news brought to Sydney that an armed schooner, called the Estramina, belonging to the King of Spain, was lying in Jervis Bay. It was also reported to the Governor that the vessel had been seized off the American coast by order of Captain Campbell of the Harrington, who claimed to have taken her as a prize, and that she was in charge of one of Captain Campbell's officers. Uncertain whether hostilities had actually broken out between England and Spain, His Excellency sent Mr. Symons to Jervis Bay to ascertain whether the schooner was there, and if so to take possession of her and bring her to Port Jackson.

The Lady Nelson sailed to execute this mission on April 3rd. On the evening of the following day she sighted Jervis Bay and, shortly after entering it, a strange vessel was perceived at anchor at the north-west end of the bay. No sooner did the stranger see the Lady Nelson approaching than she hurriedly weighed, and attempted to leave the bay. The attempt was frustrated, however, by Lieutenant Symons, who made sail after her and fired a gun to bring her to. Seeing that flight was useless, the schooner hoisted a St. George's Jack, and eventually came to under the lee of the Lady Nelson. The commander, finding that she was the Harrington's prize, went on board her, hauled down the English colours, and in their place hoisted the Spanish flag. She was in charge of Mr. William Tozer, one of the Harrington's men, from whom Lieutenant Symons received the log-book and charts. The second mate of the Lady Nelson and three of her crew were placed in the Estramina, and she left Jervis Bay for Sydney in company with the Lady Nelson.

On the arrival of the vessels in the Cove on the afternoon of April 10th, Governor King and the Judge Advocate went on board the Spanish ship to take Mr. Tozer's depositions. As a result of this visit, orders were given that the schooner was to be detained at Sydney "for and on behalf of the Spanish sovereign." At the same time Governor King declared that if it were proved hostilities had already broken out when the seizure of the Estramina took place, the ship would become the property of the Admiralty, because the Harrington possessed no letters of marque. The Governor also made known his intention of detaining the Harrington at the first opportunity so that she might "answer for the event." The prize, which is described as a beautiful schooner, was never released and eventually became the property of the Government.

The Lady Nelson remained in Sydney Cove from April 10th until May 7th, and during her stay she was freshly painted. On the latter date, on the arrival of the Buffalo, she weighed anchor and sailed down the harbour, coming to below Garden Island. She returned again to the Cove on the 10th and then prepared to take salt and brine on board for Norfolk Island. These were needed by the settlers for curing their bacon. The brig sailed on June 2nd and, as usual, discharging the cargo at the island proved a difficult task. Before he could land all his stores, Symons was forced to stand on and off shore for several days. He finally left on July 7th in company with the Governor King for Sydney.

A cargo of wheat from the Greenhills, and a cargo of coals, cedar logs and spars from Newcastle, both of which were brought to Sydney for consumption there, kept the Lady Nelson busily employed until September 27th, when she again cleared the harbour with settlers and stores for Port Dalrymple.

The following logs are interesting, because they tell of these visits, and in them we also find recorded some of the first names bestowed upon this part of Tasmania by Flinders and Paterson.

Sydney Cove to Jervis Bay.

"Tuesday, 2nd April 1805. A.M. 11 weighed and proceeded down the Harbour.

"Wednesday, 3rd April. P.M. Came to anchor off Camp Cove. A.M. at 8 cleared the Heads: at noon heavy sea from southward.

"Thursday, 4th April. At daylight extremes of land distant 8 miles.

"Friday, 5th April. P.M. Running along-shore: at 4 altered course south by west at 8 North Head of Jervis Bay south-west 2 leagues. At 10 hauled into the bay and stood over to the West shore. At 11 saw a vessel at anchor at north-west end of bay.

"Saturday, 6th April. Perceived vessel getting under way and making sail towards us, hove to, hoisted out boat, perceived vessel to be a schooner, all sails set, hove to and hoisted out colours, the schooner lowered her top-gallant-sail and hauled her wind to stand out of the bay: filled and made sail after her, fired a gun, shotted, to bring her to—she hoisted a St. George's Jack. At 1 P.M. hove to—the vessel bore down and hove to under lee quarter, hailed her and was answered that it was the Estramina, a schooner a prize to the Harrington, went on board her and gave the prize mate, Mr. William Tozer, the memorandum and received from him the vessel's Logbook, the Spanish log papers and charts. Mr. William Tozer said he had no orders from Captain Campbell, that Mr. Cummings had them. At 2 bore up and made sail and came off the island. At 6 sent the 2nd mate and 3 men on board and took out 3 men. At 8 supplied the Estramina with 1 week's provisions.

"Sunday, 7th April. A.M. Carpenter repairing boat.

"Monday, 8th April. At 3 weighed and set sail to work into the bay to see if any more vessels were there: schooner in company. At 6 shortened sail and came to: saw no vessels in the bay. At 3 A.M. fired 2 guns and hoisted a light as a signal for the schooner to get under weigh. Weighed anchor and made sail, at 4 hove to for the schooner to come up. At noon the North Head of Jervis Bay bearing north-west 5 miles, the schooner in company.

"Tuesday, 9th April. Altered course. At 11 North Head of Port Jackson distant 9 miles.

"Wednesday, 10th April. P.M. At 1 made the Heads of Port Jackson: tacked ship occasionally to work up into the Harbour: the schooner in company: at 2 abreast Bradley's Head: at 3 came to anchor in the entrance of the Cove: at 6 weighed and got further up into the Cove: at 7 came to the Moorings.

"Thursday, 11th April. P.M. Light breezes and clear, people overhauling the schooner for a survey.

Sydney Cove to Norfolk Island.

"Thursday, 23rd May. Sailed the Investigator for England.

"Sunday, 27th May. Unmoored and hauled out of Cove.

"Thursday, 31st May. Received passengers for Norfolk Island, fired a gun, made signal for sailing.

"Saturday, 1st June. P.M. Weighed and towed to Shark Island.

"Sunday, 2nd June. P.M. Half-past 12 made sail down the harbour, at North Head, Port Jackson 7 leagues.

"Tuesday, 4th June. At 7 A.M. saw strange sail, hauled up for her and spoke the Ferret, Whaler, last from Norfolk Island bound to England.

"Sunday, 9th June. P.M. Strong gales: at 4 heavy squalls with rain, split the main stay-sail all to pieces, at 5 broke the tiller, heavy sea.

"Monday, 24th June. P.M. Cloudy with rain: at 6 A.M. saw Phillip's Island bearing east-north-east 4 leagues, Mount Pitt 7 leagues: at 11 between the Islands, bore up to Cascade: saw the Governor King standing off and on the Island. At noon Pilot came on board.

"Tuesday, 25th June. P.M. Standing off Cascade. At 6 Point How N. by S. 2 miles: standing under the lee of the Island: Governor King in company these 12 hours. At noon standing off and on Cascade: fired 2 guns for boat.

"Wednesday, 26th June. P.M. Fresh breezes and cloudy. Point How bore south-south-west 8 leagues: sent boat on shore to repair.

"Thursday, 27th June. P.M. At 8 light breezes. Abreast of Mount Pitt standing for Sydney: bent the warps to kedge. At midnight between the Islands: at 8 A.M. got one boat alongside to discharge stores.

"Friday, 28th June. P.M. At 4 people on board discharging stores for the island at 8 standing to westward, Phillip Island distant 5 miles—at 8 brought up abreast Sydney, Governor King in company.

"Saturday, 29th June. P.M. At 8 slipt the small cable. A.M. Beat up under lee of Nepean Island.

"Sunday, 30th June. P.M. At 4 parted the best bower close to the clinch and stood away to Phillip Island; Norfolk Island west by north 6 miles. At midnight wore ship and stood to South.

"Monday, 1st July. P.M. Strong gales, stood to south; Norfolk Island south-west distant 20 miles, at midnight wore ship to Harbour.

"Tuesday, 2nd July. P.M. Stood to southward; Norfolk Island 24 miles, these 18 hours wore ship and made sail occasionally.

"Wednesday, 3rd July. Repairing rigging. Norfolk Island south-west by south 14 miles.

"Thursday, 4th July. At noon employed getting the settler's goods, the Governor King in company.

"Friday, 5th July. Received settlers and goods with 4 soldiers. At midnight standing to north-east. At 11 A.M. got a boat on board with the raft.

"Saturday, 6th July. At 4 A.M. standing in and off Island and fell in with Harbour Buoys.

"Sunday, 7th July. P.M. Clearing the boats. Receiving passengers and prisoners on board for Port Jackson. Governor King in company: at 4 and 8 A.M. made sail, at noon Phillip Island 7 leagues.

...

Norfolk Island to Sydney Cove.

"Wednesday, 17th July. These 2 hours light breezes and squally. At noon found the current set to northward about 11 miles.

"Thursday, 18th July. Calm and cloudy, at 6 Mount Gore about 7 leagues, at 4 A.M. How's island north-north-east 21 leagues.

...

"Thursday, 25th July. Port Jackson 74 miles. Noon, calm and cloudy.

"Friday, 26th July. At 11 A.M. saw the land of Port Stephens 15 miles.

"Saturday, 27th July. P.M. Bent best bower. Extremes of land west by south.

"Sunday, 28th July. P.M. Standing in for land. At 4 Rabbit Island 7 miles. At 12 Boxhead about 8 miles west-south-west, Long Reach south-west by south 15 miles.

"Monday, 29th July. P.M. At 4 hove up and made sail for Pittwater, at 6 came to, saw two vessels coming in, fired 3 guns to bring them to: at 6 weighed and made sail for Port Jackson: North Head south-south-west.

"Tuesday, 30th July. At 2 set steering sails for Port Jackson Heads, fired 2 guns for a light. At 11 came to between the Heads, two schooners in company. At 4 working up the Harbour. At 10 came to in Sydney Cove.

...

"Monday, 5th August. P.M. Weighed and made sail out of Cove. At 2 came to in stream with small bower in 9 fathoms. At 8 made sail down the Harbour—at 10 North Head of Port Jackson south by west 5 miles. At 1 came to in Broken Bay not being able to work up the river.

"Tuesday, 6th August. P.M. At 4 weighed and made sail with the flood tide. At 7 came to in Mullet Island Reach. A.M. Endeavoured to work up, the wind blowing strong came to again, passed by a schooner.

...

"Friday, 9th August. P.M. At 6 made sail up River: at 1 came to abreast of Green Hills. Employed clearing the hold to take in wheat.

"Monday, 12th August. P.M. Calm and cloudy, unmoored ship and towed up river. A.M. Came to abreast of Cornwallis Farm.

"Tuesday, 13th August. At 8 hauled alongside the wharf and took in 157 bushels of wheat for Government.

"Wednesday, 14th August. P.M. At 2 up anchored and towed down to the Greenhills: received Government order to deliver over main-sail and main-top-sail. At noon received wheat, stowing it away, and hemp for Government.

"Thursday, 15th August. P.M. Fresh breezes. Received 800 bushels wheat. At 8 made sail down the river.

"Friday, 16th August. P.M. At 5 towed down the River. A.M. at 1 came to in Portland Reach to get on board cedar for Government: at 11 hoisted in 3 logs.

"Monday, 19th August. At 7 weighed and made sail down River: at 1 A.M. came to in Branch Reach: at 11 going through the narrows grounded, ran the kedge out and hove off.

"Tuesday, 20th August. At 3 cleared into Port Jackson: half-past came to in Sydney Cove. Employed delivering wheat.

"Monday, 26th August. Working down Harbour: at 4 came to off South Head: at 5 made sail out of the Heads.

"Tuesday, 27th August. North Head, Broken Bay west-north-west 7 miles, at 3 the Coal Island west-north-west at 5 miles—at 10 A.M. hauled in between Heads, a boat came off from shore from Kingstown.* (* i.e. Newcastle.)

"Wednesday, 28th August. Found the vessel driving in shore. Found 2 vessels laying there.

"Thursday, 29th August. At noon, sailed Contest schooner.

"Friday, 30th August. People employed getting on board coals and cedar for Government.

"Thursday, 5th September. Received on board 8 tons of coals, employed stowing cedar.

"Friday, 6th September. P.M. Sailed the Governor Hunter, schooner, for Sydney. Employed stowing cedar.

"Saturday, 7th September. P.M. At 4 heavy squalls, hove up the best bower and hauled out in the stream, at 6 made sail, shaped our course for Sydney. At 1 A.M. the wind hauled round north-east. At 8 Broken Bay west 8 miles North Head Point south-south-west 6 miles, at noon hauled in for Heads.

"Sunday 8th September. P.M. Working into the Harbour: at 2 rounded the South reef: at 3 came to in Sydney Cove. Employed getting the cedar out and spars for the Resource.

Sydney Cove to Port Dalrymple.

"Saturday, 14th September. Received on board for Port Dalrymple 16 casks flour.

"Monday, 16th September. A.M. Went on board the Harrington to unmoor her by Government order and lashed her alongside the Supply.

"Tuesday, 17th September. At noon strong breezes.

"Wednesday, 18th September. Provisioning ship, puddening the anchor.

"Thursday, 19th September. Received on board for Port Dalrymple 12 Bales Slop Clothing, bar iron and other stores, A.M. 150 new hats, one cask nails and hoes, carpenter making gun carriages.

"Friday, 20th September. Received 10 casks, one of salt for Port Dalrymple, sailed the Honduras, packet for England.

"Thursday, 26th September. P.M. Hove short. A.M. Towed out of the Cove, at 9 came to in the stream. Received on board 2 settlers and 1 prisoner for Port Dalrymple.

"Friday, 27th September. P.M. Weighed and made sail, at 7 North Head north-north-west 2 miles. At noon Pigeon House west-south-west 7 leagues.

"Tuesday, 1st October. P.M. Heavy gale and sea, at noon bore up for Twofold Bay.

"Wednesday, 2nd October. P.M. Made all sail for Snug Cove. Found the Governor Hunter lying there.

"Saturday, 5th October. At 2 made sail out of Bay, schooner in company. At 12 schooner out of sight astern.

"Sunday, 6th October. P.M. At 6 saw the land, Kent's Group south-south-west 10 miles, bore up for Group—at 9 came to in East Cove.

"Friday, 11th October. P.M. At 7 weighed and made sail out of Kent's Group.

"Saturday, 12th October. P.M. At 6 saw the flag-staff on the west head, at 8 fired a gun to make the people on shore make a fire, half-past 8 fired another, at 9 entered the Heads, came on board a Pilot, at 1 got on shore, out kedge to warp off, at 2 came to in Western Arm, at 8 weighed and kedged up the Arm to the Settlement, at 11 came to in 3 fathoms water. At noon calm and cloudy weather.

"Sunday, 13th October. P.M. Moderate and cloudy.

"Monday, 14th October. P.M. Fresh breezes and variable. A.M. Calm and clear, got cables on deck to discharge cargo.

"Monday, 21st October. A.M. Weighed and towed down the arm, at 11 fired a gun, made sail up river.

"Tuesday, 22nd October. P.M. At 7 calm and cloudy, came to abreast of Swan Point. At 7 weighed and made sail, found the small bower anchor stock broke off and totally gone. Came on board Colonel Paterson, 3 soldiers, settler and boat's crew, Mr. Williams, the Surveyor and 3 men.

"Wednesday, 23rd October. Weighed and made sail up the River, at 11 came to above Upper Island in 3 fathoms water.

"Saturday, 26th October. P.M. Weighed and towed down the River, at 10 grounded on a mud flat.

"Sunday, 27th October. P.M. At 1 hove off into the stream, at 5 weighed and made sail down the River—at 6 came to, found we could not beat down. A.M. At 4 towed down the River—at 10 came to in the Crescent Reach.

"Monday, 28th October. P.M. At 5 weighed and made sail down the River. At 10 came to off Point Rapid, at 5 towed down River, at 11 came to in Western Arm.

"Thursday, 31st October. P.M. Cutting spars for beacons. Employed down the harbour putting up the beacon.

"Friday, 1st November. A.M. Down the Harbour at the beacons. Erected two beacons, with flags on, below the Islands, one white flag the other red.

"Thursday, 7th November. Put up altogether four beacons with flags with 20 yards of bunting.

"Monday, 11th November. At 8 A.M. unmoored ship.

"Tuesday, 12th November. P.M. Strong gales, at 2 weighed and made sail down the River, came to in Barran's Pool.

"Wednesday, 13th November. People on shore filling water.

"Thursday, 14th November. Came on board 11 prisoners and other passengers for Port Jackson.

Port Dalrymple to Sydney Cove.

"Friday, 15th November. P.M. Came on board Colonel Paterson and delivered the dispatches, at 6 weighed and made sail down the Harbour, at 9 came to abreast of Lagoon Reach. A.M. At 6 made sail.

"Saturday, 16th November. Heavy sea, at 10 saw the Pyramid bearing north by east 6 miles, half-past saw Kent's Group.

"Sunday, 17th November. P.M. At 2 saw a sunken reef north-north-west of the Stuck Rocks and from Kent's Group, about 15 miles, two miles from the Big Stuck, the sea breaking over them; at 5 Kent's Group bearing west-south-west. At 9 saw two vessels on the larboard bow: fired a gun to bring them to, spoke them, the one the Nancy and the other the Fly, sloop, from Port Jackson.

"Monday, 18th November. At 6 Cape How north at 7 miles, at 7 altered course, at Cape Green west-south-west. At noon Twofold Bay south-west about 4 leagues.

"Tuesday, 19th November. At noon moderate and cloudy weather, Mount Dromedary distant 6 or 7 leagues.

"Wednesday, 20th November. P.M. At 6 Pigeon House north-west at 4 leagues. Jervis Bay west-south-west about 10 miles. At noon Five islands west about 7 miles.

"Thursday, 21st November. P.M. At 7 South Head, Port Jackson, north about 13 miles, at half-past 9 bore up for the Harbour, half-past 11 came to Sydney Cove with the best bower.

"Monday, 25th November. Received on board 4 sheep for the ship's company. At 8 came alongside the punt with flour for Port Dalrymple.

"Wednesday, 27th November. Arrived H.M.S. Buffalo from the River Derwent, at 4 weighed and towed out into the stream.

Sydney Cove to Port Dalrymple.

"Thursday, 28th November. P.M. At 3 weighed and made sail, at 7 came to between Heads. A.M. At 4 made sail.

"Friday, 29th November. P.M. Heavy sea. Standing to Southward, at 7 Botany Bay 4 miles, Point Hicks south-west 11 miles. At noon Justice's Bay west 15 miles.

"Wednesday, 4th December. At 6 saw the land Kent's Group, South Hogan's Group west-south-west 4 leagues; at half-past 7 a heavy squall with thunder and lightning and rain from the north-west. At noon saw the Sisters.

"Thursday, 5th December. Heavy sea running, the Sisters west-south-west about 4 miles, at 6 hauled up for a sandy beach bearing S.S. Found this place a good shelter from the wind and good riding, found the tide setting about cast and west, at 4 made sail, Rocky Island south-east 1/2 east 4 miles standing alongshore, Gull Island south-south-east 5 miles.* (* Islands of the Furneaux Group.)

"Friday, 6th December. At half-past one passed between Gull Island and the main—found a good channel with 4 fathoms at low water, at 4 tacked to work up the narrows; at 9 came to in the Village not being able to work up, the tide having made.* (* Probably the Lady Nelson anchored in Kent's Bay, where there was a sealing village.) Saw a small vessel laying in the Head of the bay.

"Saturday, 7th December. P.M. At 5 the tide having made, made sail up the bay: found the vessel to be the Raven of Port Jackson. A.M. Tacked to work out of bay. At noon moderate breezes and cloudy. Preservation Island north-north-east 3 miles.

"Sunday, 8th December. P.M. At 4 Waterhouse Island about 10 miles. A.M. At 6 saw Head of Port Dalrymple south-west about 4 miles. At noon came to in Western Arm in 2 fathoms with best bower.

Port Dalrymple to Sydney Cove.

"Friday, 13th December. At 5 weighed and towed down Harbour, at 9 came to in Barren's Pool, at 9 cleared the Harbour, Marcia, schooner, in company. Stoney Head south-east 4 miles.

"Saturday, 14th December. Twentyday Island south-east by east about 10 miles, at 6 set leeward steering sails—Waterhouse Island south-south-east 4 miles, at 10 hove too off Preservation Island,* at 4 made sail for Cape Barren. Clark's Island* south-south-west about 10 miles.

"Sunday, 15th December. At noon weighed, and dropped farther down the Bay.

"Wednesday, 18th December. Light airs and thick, at 7 weighed and made sail, at 12 Sea Lyon Island* south-south-west about 10 miles. (* Islands of the Furneaux Group.)

Saturday, 21st December. At 4 heavy sea, at 5 saw strange sail, found the same to be the Estramina, at 8 lost sight of her.

"Sunday, 22nd December. At sunset saw the land extremes from south-west to north-west by north distant off shore 7 leagues. A.M. At 8 made all sail for Port Jackson: at 9 hauled in for the Heads: at half-past 11 came to in Sydney Cove."

CHAPTER 12.

TIPPAHEE AND HIS FOUR SONS ARE CONVEYED TO NEW ZEALAND IN THE LADY NELSON.

The following months were months well spent by England's little ship; months which, like many others, left their mark on the early history of Australia and New Zealand, when seed was sown in England's name that was afterwards to bear fruit and extend her power and prosperity.

Empire builders to-day may well envy those whose lot it was to be the first in that vast southern field.

They were a gallant little band who, in early days, carried the mother-flag from New South Wales to lands and islands yet more distant, discovering the shores, planting the first settlements and moulding them into shape—men who worked with such untiring energy that succeeding generations found a city, where lately had stood a few miserable huts, and a flourishing seaport surrounding a once silent cove.

Looking back across one hundred and twenty years of time, we can picture the empty spaces on the sea-shore, which are now towns, and the monotonous wildernesses of bushland, which have been replaced by smiling landscapes; and we can realise the enormous difficulties that had to be overcome before houses could be built, or the bushland cleared and cultivated.

One of the first letters (perhaps the very first from a woman's pen to be handed down to us) written from Sydney, in November 1788, thus describes the Mother-settlement at the beginning.

"We have now two streets, if four rows of the most miserable huts you can possibly conceive deserve that name. Windows they have none as from the Governor's house (now nearly finished) no glass could be spared, so that lattices of twigs are made by our people to supply their places. At the extremity of the lines where since our arrival the dead are buried there is a place called the churchyard..." and then, telling of the only food obtainable there, in addition to the hard fare provided by the Government, the writer continues, "Our kangaroo cats are like mutton but much leaner and there is a kind of chickweed so much in taste like spinach that no difference can be discerned. Something like ground ivy is used for tea but a scarcity of salt and sugar makes our best meals insipid...Everyone is so taken up with their own misfortunes that they have no pity to bestow on others."* (* To-day Sydney is the seventh city of the Empire.) What was written of Sydney may be said to have been true of all the settlements. Everywhere hardships were encountered, and everywhere they were surmounted.

The Lady Nelson's log will show how in 1806 she paid a second and perhaps a more important visit to New Zealand. Her commander was instructed by Governor King to convey Tippahee, a New Zealand Chief of the Bay of Islands on the north-east coast, back from Sydney to his own dominions. At some time previously a son of this Chief had been brought to Port Jackson in a whaling vessel. The Governor had shown him kindness and had ordered some pigs to be sent from Norfolk Island to New Zealand for his father, and Tippahee, on receiving the present, had himself resolved to pay a visit to Governor King. He embarked with his four sons in a small colonial whaling vessel bound for Norfolk Island. The voyage was hardly a success, for on his arrival there he complained to the authorities that the master of the ship had treated them badly and had detained his youngest son. Captain Piper, the Commandant, gave them a very kind reception, and it is said rescued the youngest son from the master of the whaler. Shortly afterwards, H.M.S. Buffalo called at Norfolk Island, when Tippahee, with his sons, was received on board by Captain Houston, and after the Buffalo had visited Tasmania, the New Zealanders were brought to Sydney, where, dressed in the costume of a Chief of his country, Tippahee did homage to Governor King. We are told that this meant laying a mat at Governor King's feet and performing the ceremony of "joining noses." The Governor seems to have developed a great admiration for Tippahee. He allowed the Maori Chief to remain, along with his eldest son, as a guest at Government House, and provided his other sons with suitable lodgings. The Chief is described as being 5 feet 11 1/2 inches high, stout and athletic looking, and about forty-six years of age. His face was completely tattooed. Among other things, King writes of him that he was "a constant attendant at Divine Service," and he adds, "he had a contempt of the Australian aborigine."

The Reverend Samuel Marsden, then chaplain in Sydney, became intimately acquainted with Tippahee, and he, too, states that he found him "a man of very superior understanding and capable of receiving any instruction. His companions also manifested strong mental faculties." When the Maoris had remained in the colony as long as they wished—by that time becoming familiar figures to all the citizens of Sydney—the Governor gave instructions for the Lady Nelson to be fitted up to convey them back to their own country. Before their departure they were loaded with presents by the Governor and other friends, the gifts being carefully packed in chests and put on board the brig. On this voyage Governor King also ordered some bricks and the framework of a house for New Zealand to be received as part of the cargo.

On February 25th, Tippahee and his sons bade farewell to New South Wales and their numerous friends there, and on their going on board, the Lady Nelson immediately set sail for the Bay of Islands.

During the voyage the Chief was taken ill and Mr. Symons ordered a young man named George Bruce to nurse him. So well did Bruce carry out his duties, that Tippahee afterwards requested that he might be allowed to remain in New Zealand.* (* The request was granted, and Bruce was afterwards given Tippahee's daughter in marriage. How badly the pair were treated by the captain of a British vessel, which called at New Zealand to refit, is told in the Sydney Gazette, which states that Bruce and his wife were carried away from New Zealand in the Wellesley, first to Fiji and afterwards to Malacca, where Bruce was left behind. His wife was taken on to Penang, but on his making a complaint to the commanding officer at Malacca, that gentleman warmly espoused Bruce's cause and sent him to Bengal, where the authorities extended him aid, and eventually his wife was restored to him.)

The Chief's illness may have been an attack of sea-sickness, due to the roughness of the passage, as the log records that the weather was very squally.

On March 2nd the Lady Nelson made a great deal of water and had to be pumped out. The vessel still remained in a leaky state, and this drawback, in conjunction with the cross currents and heavy gales that she encountered, greatly retarded her progress.

A succession of gales followed, consequently the land of New Zealand was not sighted until March 30th, when at noon it was observed for the first time, trending from east-south-east to north-east.

At eight o'clock in the evening a prominent cape was seen eight miles distant, which Symons records was North-West Cape (or Cape Maria Van Diemen). At eleven the ship hauled round to the eastward and hove to. Native fires were seen burning on land. Next morning at six o'clock the Lady Nelson made sail and stood in shore, and as she made her appearance she was met by two native canoes, but perceiving that the coast was very rocky and a gale arising the commander stood to the westward, Tunitico then being east-south-east half a mile. At five o'clock in the afternoon he again endeavoured to anchor, and the Lady Nelson was brought to in a bay "in 15 fathoms of water, sand and shells." Five canoes came alongside, and as the Maoris appeared very friendly a boat-load of wood and of water was obtained.

Working his way round the coast, which he says he could not "fetch," on April 3rd Lieutenant Symons made all sail for a bay to the south-east, and in the evening the ship came to anchorage, being then eleven leagues from North Cape. Of this place her Commander writes, "There are three islands laying to the south-east by north; one to the north which will break off all sail from this point of the compass. One of these islands is very thinly inhabited." The boat was lowered to sound between the island and the main, as a reef was perceived running out astern, and the soundings gave ten to five fathoms. At ten o'clock on April 4th the Lady Nelson again weighed and made sail to work to windward, and at eleven came to in eight fathoms of water—the bottom being "fine sand and shells."

At four o'clock two canoes containing only three men came alongside the ship, and early on the following morning three New Zealand Chiefs from the Island of Titteranee, friends of Tippahee, came to welcome their countryman on his return.

On the Island of Titteranee the natives were very friendly. One of their number, who had spent some time at Norfolk Island, came on board,* (* He was named Tookee.) and the Chiefs supplied the ship with a quantity of fish, for which Lieutenant Symons gave them bread in exchange. During the vessel's stay, the Chiefs of Titteranee were not only constant visitors, but some appear to have remained altogether in the ship. Possibly the Commander saw a little too much of Tippahee and his friends, as while the boats were on shore cutting brooms and obtaining water, the former was exceedingly troublesome on board—two or three times causing a disturbance by lifting up weapons and threatening the seamen at their work. At noon on the 12th of April, Mr. Symons records that he became very mutinous. An Otaheitan in the ship informed the Commander that he had asked one of the Chiefs to go on shore and bring his men to attack the vessel. Tippahee's residence was at the Bay of Islands, and it seems fortunate that Lieutenant Symons was able to land him safely among his own people, for according to the Sydney Gazette he wielded great power and was acknowledged to be a great Chief by the New Zealanders "from the North Cape to his own dwelling place."

On April 20th, before reaching the Bay of Islands, the Commander of the Lady Nelson went to examine a deep bay to the south-west, which he explored. He found at the bottom of this bay a river which "ran south-south-east and north-north-west about three miles and one from the west-south-west to west-north-west...after the first Reach the River runs flat and 3 or 4 leagues. On the larboard shore of the river it is not safe for any vessel, drawing more than 12 feet, to attempt entering." He also mentions a lagoon which ran at the back of the beach to the eastward of the River and a deep bay; these were about one mile apart.

In returning from this little expedition of exploration—which was a very early one—the boat was upset and two muskets, three powder horns, and two pistols were lost. Symons had already lost the stock of the small bower anchor, the deep-sea lead, and the seine among the rocks. On April 22nd the ship took her departure from this harbour, leaving behind her here a seaman named Joseph Druce who deserted and could not be found.

On the evening of the same day Cavill's or Cavalli Island was sighted, and a native fire could be seen burning there. At noon the latitude observed was 34 degrees 43 minutes 57 seconds south. Next morning, while working off and on the shore, Cape Brett, some fourteen miles distant to the eastward, and at noon Point Pocock (of Captain Cook) which lay to the south-east came into view.* (* The Point Pocock of Cook is now Cape Wiwiki.)

On Friday the 25th April the Lady Nelson, escorted by three canoes bore up between two islands in the Bay of Islands and came to under the Island of Matuapo in two fathoms. Tippahee's home was situated on the north side of the Bay of Islands, just within Point Pocock, and is described as "a considerable Hippah strongly fortified." The district extending to the northward was called Whypopoo, but Tippahee claimed the whole country across the island from Muri Whenua.* (* The name for the land's end or most northern part of New Zealand.) At the same time he admitted that his two great rivals were Mowpah, who was Chief of the territory in the neighbourhood of the River Thames, and Moodee, Chief of the territory to the northward.

Lieutenant Symons lost no time in sending the presents given to the Maoris at Sydney on shore, and at daylight on the day after his arrival he also landed the bricks and the framework of the wooden house. The house, by Governor King's orders, was to be erected in the most suitable spot possible, and was intended for the use of any officials who might be sent from Sydney, or for any missionaries whom the Governor might permit to dwell there. The carpenter was sent on shore to carry out the Governor's instructions, and he built the house on an island in the Bay of Islands on a site selected by Mr. Symons, who afterwards stated that the island was a very small one, but he believed that the house would be impregnable, and able to withstand the attacks of any force that the country at that time could bring against it.* (* This house was one of the first, if not the very first house, to be built in New Zealand. We do not hear even of a single sealer's hut then at the Bay of Islands, but shortly afterwards settlers and missionaries from Sydney arrived there, and in 1815 (see Calcutta Gazette, April 27th), after the missionaries arrived, houses began to grow up, and the Bombay Courier, November 20th, 1819, says of it, "The settlement at New Zealand appears to have assumed a regular form and to be regarded as a British Colony regulated under the control of New South Wales Government Authority. On September 29th the Missionaries, sent out by the Church Missionary Society, took their departure from Sydney for the Bay of Islands on board the American brig General Gates, one of them, the Reverend J. Butler, having previously been appointed by Governor Macquarie to act as justice of the peace and magistrate of the Island of New Zealand.")

The Lady Nelson waited for five days in the Bay of Islands, until the carpenter had completed his work, and during that time Tippahee, who seems to have overcome his fit of temper, brought on board many presents for his friends in Sydney, sending one to each person individually; these were for the most part weapons of war, which, observes the Sydney Gazette, "must have somewhat diminished his native armoury." A sample of New Zealand flax (Phormium tenax) was also brought back from Tippahee's dominions. The flax was used by the Maoris not only in weaving mats and kirtles, but also for making fishing lines. The lines, although they were twisted entirely by hand, resembled the finest cord of European manufacture, The most useful presents, however, sent on board by Tippahee were some fine ships' spars, which New Zealand produced in great abundance, and also a quantity of seed potatoes, then very scarce in Sydney, and consequently greatly appreciated.

Leaving New Zealand, and after passing Three Kings' Islands, Lieutenant Symons steered to Norfolk Island, where he embarked some men of the New South Wales Corps under Ensign Lawson for Sydney. During the long voyage of four months, the brig sustained no material damage, though she met with continuous bad weather, "thus preserving her character," says the Sydney Gazette, "as being a vessel of the greatest capability, considering her small dimensions."

This log throws fresh light on the character of Tippahee, who had been overwhelmed with kindness at Sydney and on board the Lady Nelson. Notwithstanding this, Symons seems to have very narrowly escaped being attacked by the Maoris. In 1809, when almost every person on the Boyd was murdered at Wangaroa, Captain Thompson was almost universally blamed for being too hasty with Tippahee. He had previously resented some slight theft, and on the old chief's coming to pay his respects, had told him "not to bother him as he was too busy." Possibly Captain Thompson's critics judged him too harshly, for had he been as watchful of Tippahee as Mr. Symons apparently was, the massacre of the Boyd might not have occurred.

From Sydney to New Zealand.

Laying at Port Jackson.

JAMES SYMONS, Commander.

"Sunday, 19th January. 1806. P.M. At 1 fired a salute in honour of the Queen's birthday.

"Tuesday, 21st January. Received a boatload of bricks for New Zealand and stowed them away.

"Wednesday, 22nd January. Received boatload of bricks for New Zealand, sent for a boatload of firewood.

"Thursday, 23rd January. Strong breezes and cloudy with a great smoke in the woods.

"Friday, 24th January. Received on board part of a house for New Zealand.

"Saturday, 25th January. P.M. Received the remainder of the house.

"Monday, 27th January. A.M. Received 2 chests on board for Tippahee going to New Zealand.

"Monday, 10th February. Sailed the Estramina, Spanish schooner, for Port Dalrymple.

"Wednesday, 12th February. Arrived ship Sophia and a boat from Tellicherry, a ship on the coast which was short of water.

"Thursday, 13th February. Made the signal for sailing, arrived the Tellicherry from England.

"Friday, 14th February. Came into the Cove the Sophia and Tellicherry.

"Saturday, 15th February. Fired a gun and made signal for sailing.

"Sunday, 16th February. Received from Tellicherry on account of Government, 3600 pounds bread.

"Sunday, 23rd February. Arrived the Star Whaler from England in 18 weeks.

"Tuesday, 25th February. Weighed and made sail down the Harbour—came on board Tippahee and his 4 sons for their passage to New Zealand.

"Wednesday, 26th February. P.M. Port Jackson at 4 north-west 6 miles: at 7 North Head bearing south-west by south about 12 miles.

"Saturday, 1st March. P.M. Fresh breezes. At 12 strong gales: found the current had set the vessel to southwards: the rate of 10 miles per day.

"Sunday, 2nd March. P.M. Strong gales heavy sea: found the vessel had made a great deal of water, pumped her out: found the vessel's deck leak very much.

"Monday, 17th March. Heavy sea still running: found the current had set to windward about 40 miles. 35 degrees 35 seconds south.

"Friday, 21st March. Noon, moderate breezes, the current set to the northward, 3/4 mile per hour. 33 degrees 11 minutes 30 seconds south.

"Saturday, 22nd March. At 9 A.M. capsized boat, got the main keel up, carpenter repairing it. 33 degrees 40 minutes 48 seconds south.

"Sunday, 30th March. North Cape distant 47 miles.

"Monday, 31st March. P.M. Strong breezes and squally, bore up and ran alongshore, slit the main top-gallant sail, employed getting the stirrup down and another up, at 8 North-West Cape or Cape Maria van Dieman north-west by north 8 miles at 10 wore and stood to the Westward Tunitico on east-south-east about 1/2 mile. Two canoes alongside.

"Tuesday, 1st April. P.M. Made and shortened sail—at 5 found the wind hang to south-east. At 10 found the vessel driving, wore away 2 thirds of the cable. At noon tide flows northward and alongshore about 5 feet, 5 canoes came alongside, the natives appear very friendly.

"Wednesday, 2nd April. P.M. Strong gales. At 4 came to in 20 fathoms of water, fine brown sand, the bottom appears in general very good and clear of rocks. Any ship or vessel may lay here with the wind from south-west to south-east in safety.

"Thursday, 3rd April. P.M. Tacked to work round the North Cape, at 8 North Cape south 2 miles. At noon about 15 miles.

"Friday, 4th April. P.M. At 4 fresh breezes and squally. At 6 shortened sail and came to at all leagues from the North Cape. There are three islands laying to the south-east by north one to the north which will break off all sail from this point of the compass. One of the islands is very thinly inhabited. At 10 weighed and made sail, to work to windward, at 11 came to in 8 fathoms of water—fine sand and shells.

"Saturday, 5th April. P.M. At 4 came alongside 2 canoes with only 3 men. Lost the stock of the small bower anchor, unstocked the kedge and stocked the small bower, at 8 A.M. came alongside 3 chiefs from the Island of Titteranee, friends of Tippahee. Latitude of anchorage 34 degrees 47 minutes 20 seconds south.

"Sunday, 6th April. On the Island of Titteranee found the natives very friendly, the native Tookee that went to Norfolk Island came on board, the chiefs supplied the ship with fish, gave them bread in lieu.

"Monday, 7th April. P.M. Employed watering vessel, people on shore cutting brooms.

"Tuesday, 8th April. P.M. Several canoes alongside. Three chiefs on board. Boat returned having lost the seine among the rocks.

"Wednesday, 9th April. A.M. Sent people on shore to cut firewood.

"Thursday, 10th April. Moderate and cloudy. Painting ship.

"Friday, 11th April. Strong gales with rain. The 3 chiefs still on board.

"Saturday, 12th April. A.M. Tippahee 2 or 3 times attempted to raise a disturbance in the vessel, lifted up weapons against some of the men whilst putting their orders into force. At noon Tippahee became very mutinous. I have understood from an Otaheitan on board he told one of the chiefs to go on shore and bring his men to attack the vessel.

"Sunday, 13th April. P.M. Ditto weather with a heavy sea in the offing, the wind has not changed more than 2 points these six days, sent the boat for greens for the Brig's company.

"Monday, 14th April. P.M. Strong gales with heavy rain. Painted ship, sent boat for greens.

"Tuesday, 15th April. At 8 A.M. sent for water.

"Wednesday, 16th April. Received boatload of water, people cutting wood on shore.

"Thursday, 17th April. At 4 sent boat for greens.

"Friday, 18th April. Sent boat for cask of water. A.M. Sent boat for greens, 2 chiefs on board.

"Saturday, 19th April. P.M. Sent boat for water. Strong breezes and squally.

"Sunday, 20th April. P.M. Went with the boat to examine a deep bay to the south-west. Found at the bottom of the bay a river to run south-south-east and north-north-west about 3 miles, and one from the west-south-west to west-north-west there is about 4 fathoms water, it is not safe for any vessel drawing more than 12 feet to attempt entering, the tide runs out at 2 knots and flows about 8 or 10 feet. There is a shoal running off towards the starboard shore about west from the leeward shore, half-way up the bottom is a fine sand. There is a lagoon runs all along the deep bay aback of the beach; to the eastward of the River there is a deep bay runs in, about one mile apart. In returning on board the boat upset and lost overboard 2 musquets, 3 powder horns and 2 pistols.

"Monday, 21st April. Lost overboard 2 woodaxes.

"Tuesday, 22nd April. A.M. Weighed and made sail out of bay. Run from the ship Joseph Druce.

"Wednesday, 23rd April. P.M. Strong breezes with heavy swell—at 6 Cavill's Island about 6 leagues—at 12 tacked ship, saw a fire on shore, at 8 Cavill's Island about 10 miles. Noon. Latitude observed 34 degrees 43 minutes 57 seconds.

"Thursday, 24th April. Standing off and on working in shore, Point Pocock* (* Point Pocock of Cook now called Cape Wiwiki.) east-south-east Cape Brett east 14 miles. At 6 Cavill's Island south-south-east about 8 miles, at 12 fresh breezes and squally, at 4 ditto weather, tacked Cavill's Island south-west about 6 miles, at 8 tacked moderate, squally. At noon Point Pocock south-east Cape Brett about 14 miles. Latitude observed 35 degrees 3 minutes south.

"Friday, 25th April. P.M. Moderate breezes and cloudy. Point Pocock about 6 miles, Cape Brett east by south 18 miles. At 8, 3 canoes alongside. At noon bore up between 2 islands and came to under the island Matuapo in 2 fathoms water.

"Saturday, 26th April. P.M. Light winds and variable. A.M. At daylight got the house on deck and sent on shore the carpenter to build. Sent on shore all the tools and articles belonging to Tippahee.

"Monday, 28th April. A.M. Got on board 7 spars from the chief.

"Tuesday, 29th April. P.M. Strong breezes and squally weather. Stowed and lashed the spars. Carpenter about the house.

"Wednesday, 30th April. P.M. People stowing away wood. At noon hauled the boat on shore to repair—carpenter about the house.

"Thursday, 1st May. P.M. Small rain. Stowing away fire-wood, launched the boat. A.M. At 6 towed out in the stream, at 8 came to, Cape Brett east-north-east 8 miles. At noon sent back on shore for potatoes.

"Friday, 2nd May. At 6 made sail to work out of Cove, finding we could not weather the Cape Brett, bore up to come to an anchor, bore up for a bay to leeward.

"Saturday, 3rd May. P.M. Sounded in 24 fathoms sandy bottom, the soundings run from 24 to 13 fathoms, very regular until you shut the Southern Island and Point Pocock in, then shells from 10 to 5 fathoms sand bottom.

"Sunday, 4th May. Several canoes alongside. Sailmaker making canvas buckets.

"Tuesday, 6th May. At 8 A.M. 30 canoes alongside: at 11 strong breezes from westward, in boat.

"Wednesday, 7th May. P.M. At 2 A.M. made sail out of the bay: at 5 Point Pocock south-south-west 1 1/2 miles: at 8 Cavill's Island west-north-west 8 miles. At noon 7 canoes alongside.

"Thursday, 8th May. At 10 light breezes from the southward: weighed and made sail between Cavill's Island and the main, current not less than 5 fathoms mid-channel: at 6 ten canoes alongside. Wongoroa Island bearing south-south-west about 12 miles, Cavill Island south-east 4 miles.

"Friday, 9th May. P.M. Several canoes alongside. At 4 Wongaroa Island south-east about 3 miles: at 5 light breezes, made all sail along the coast, at 6 Cavill Island east by south. Wongaroa south-east by south. Knuckle Point west 5 leagues, A.M. Knuckle Point south 3 miles: set up. At noon North-West Cape about 6 miles: 5 canoes alongside.

"Saturday, 10th May. At 2 bore up and made sail for Norfolk Island.

"Friday, 16th May. Light breezes and variable, thunder and lightning. Found the current setting to north-east about 10 miles. By double altitude latitude 29 degrees 30 minutes 32 seconds. Latitude by observation 29 degrees 23 minutes 57 seconds.

"Monday, 19th May. Fresh breezes, wind and rain—at 4 Norfolk Island west-north-west and Phillip Island west 4 miles—at 5 bore up for Sydney. At 6 fired a gun and made signal for a pilot, at 7 a boat came off from the shore and received a pilot.

"Wednesday, 21st May. Calm and dark cloudy weather with heavy showers of rain at times. At daylight saw a strange sail to south-east. At 7 joined company and proved to be the Ocean Whaler, from New Zealand.

"Thursday, 22nd May. Strong breezes and cloudy. Working between the islands. Noon, received no boat these 24 hours, landing being so bad.

"Friday, 23rd May. At daylight bore up for Sydney finding they would not send off a boat from Cascade, at 6 working in for Sydney.

"Saturday, 24th May. P.M. Working in for Sydney. Received from Ocean Whaler 4 gallons of oil for use of vessel, at midnight stood in for bay, the flagstaff north-east by north. At noon received 2 boatloads of sundries.

Norfolk Island to Sydney.

"Monday, 26th May. Received on board Ensign Lawson New South Wales Corps with 6 privates and their baggage for a passage to Port Jackson, discharged the pilot, at 7 weighed and made all sail for Port Jackson.

"Thursday, 5th June. Heavy sea from north-east. At 1 wind shifted to the south-east. Wore ship, Ball's Pyramid, at 6 distant off shore 10 miles, at 11 found main keel gone.

"Monday, 9th June. P.M. Fresh breezes, quarter past 3, Point Stephens bearing west-north-west about 12 miles. At noon fresh breezes and squally weather, Collier's Point north-west 1/2 west about 7 leagues, found the current setting to the northward about 18 hours this day.

"Tuesday, 10th June. At sunset Cape Three points south-west 1/2 west, Bird Island S. by S. about 5 miles.

"Friday, 13th June. Light breezes and cloudy. At 8 saw the light on the south head of Port Jackson, came on board pilot and took charge of the vessel, at 9 came to finding the tide done. At noon Bradley's Head 2 miles.

"Saturday, 14th June. Half-past 1 weighed and made sail up the harbour, at half-past 3 came to in Sydney Cove.

"Sunday, 20th July. A.M. Received orders to take the crew of H.M. brig Lady Nelson on board the Estramina, colonial schooner, to fit her out. Sent the schooner anchor and a cable per order. At noon sent the officers and men on board to assist—they are to be considered as lent for H.M. Service.

(Signed)

[Facsimile signature James Symons.]

Commander.

Lieutenant Symons' logbook closes with the entry dated July 20th, 1806, and is the last log of the Lady Nelson preserved at the Public Record Office. It is quite possible that others are in existence, either in England, or in Sydney, although the present writer has not been able to discover them.

It must not be supposed that the useful work performed by the little vessel ended at this date, as for years she continued to sail into and out of Port Jackson. For a short time Lieutenant Symons and her crew were turned over to the Estramina, the Spanish prize appropriated by Governor King, and used in the colonial service until 1817, when she was lost while coming out of the Hunter River with a cargo of coal.

But in November 1806 we again find the Lady Nelson carrying stores to Newcastle, and on her return voyage she brought Lieutenant Putland, R.N. (Governor Bligh's son-in-law), with other passengers, back from the Settlement.* (* Sydney Gazette, December, 1806.)

Shortly afterwards Mr. Symons joined H.M.S. Porpoise as Lieutenant, being appointed Commander of that ship in 1807, and the Lady Nelson was then placed in charge of Lieutenant William George Carlile Kent, who subsequently superseded Symons as Commander of the Porpoise by the orders of Governor Bligh.

In 1807 and 1808 the little ship's Commanders appear to have often changed, and her fortunes, like those of her officers, experienced a wave of uncertainty during the stormy period which marked the rule of Governor Bligh. Eventually by his orders the Lady Nelson was dismantled. It is well-known that Governor Bligh was deposed and kept a prisoner in his own house for twelve months by the officers of the New South Wales Corps. During this time the colony was governed by three officers, Johnston, Foveaux, and Paterson.

On the arrival of Major-General Macquarie from England to take over the reins of Government, he caused inquiries to be made concerning the use of the brig, to which Colonel Foveaux replied on January 10th, 1810, "I have the honour to inform your Excellency that the Lady Nelson brig was sent from England seven or eight years since by the Admiralty as an armed tender to the ship of war on this station. On the departure of H.M.S. Porpoise in March last, Commodore Bligh ordered her to be dismantled and laid up in ordinary in the King's Yard. The Commodore gave her in charge of Mr. Thomas Moore, the master builder, with directions to hand her over to Colonel Paterson should he require her for the service of the colony. Colonel Paterson applied for her immediately after the Porpoise sailed hence, manned her with hired seamen, and she has since continued in the employment of the Government for the use of these settlements."

From this time forward we hear of Governor Macquarie frequently taking excursions in the Lady Nelson, and in October 1811, he, with Mrs. Macquarie, proceeded in her to Van Diemen's Land, where he made an extensive tour of inspection of the settlements, and every Governor in turn seems to have used the brig for work of this character.

It is not easy to trace, subsequently, the doings of the Lady Nelson, and presumably for a year or two she lay dismantled in Sydney Harbour, and during that period is described as "nothing more or less than a Coal Hulk."

By the Governor's orders, however, in 1819, when Captain Phillip King left Sydney in the Mermaid to explore Torres Strait and the north coast of Australia, the Lady Nelson was again made smart and trim and accompanied the Mermaid as far as Port Macquarie. Lieutenant Oxley, R.N., sailed in the Lady Nelson, and after making a survey of the shores of the port he returned in her to Port Jackson.

Until she set forth on her last voyage, the Lady Nelson continued to ply between the settlements, carrying stores to them from the capital, and bringing the settlers' grain and other produce to Sydney for sale, and as the expansion of the colony proceeded, her sphere of usefulness naturally became greatly enlarged.

CHAPTER 13.

THE LADY NELSON ACCOMPANIES H.M.S. TAMAR TO MELVILLE ISLAND.

In the year 1824, the British Government determined to form a settlement on the north coast of Australia in the vicinity of Melville Island, with the object of opening up intercourse between that district and the Malay coast. On account of the nearness of the place to Timor, it was believed that some of the trade of the East Indies would be attracted to its shores. For some time previously small vessels from New South Wales had traded regularly with certain islands of the Indian Archipelago chiefly in pearls, tortoise-shell and beche-de-mer.

In order to carry out the intentions of the Government, Captain James Gordon Bremer left England in H.M.S. Tamar on February 27th, 1824, for Sydney, where the establishment was to be raised. The Tamar brought a number of marines who were to form part of the garrison for the proposed settlement. Meanwhile, the authorities at Sydney had chartered the ship Countess of Harcourt, Captain Bunn, in which to convey the settlers as well as a detachment of officers and men, then quartered in the colony, with their wives to Melville Island. After taking supplies on board, the following were embarked in the Countess of Harcourt, Captain Barlow, Lieutenant Everard, and twenty-four non-commissioned officers and men, all of the Buffs. Dr. Turner, Royal Artillery; Mr. George Miller, Commissariat Department; Mr. Wilson and Mr. George Tollemache, Storekeepers. In all the Countess of Harcourt carried 110 men, 40 women, and 25 children.

The colonial brig Lady Nelson, in command of Captain Johns, also received orders to accompany the expedition. She had returned from a voyage to Moreton Bay on August 12th, and, heavily laden with passengers, soldiers, and stores, sailed with the Tamar and the Countess of Harcourt on August 24th, 1824.

The Lady Nelson then left Sydney for the last time.

In reading Captain J. Gordon Bremer's logbook, we are reminded of a similar voyage, taken by the Lady Nelson along this coast twenty-two years before, in company with H.M.S. Investigator. Captain Bremer had the same trouble with the brig as Captain Flinders then experienced, as he was continually forced to wait for the Lady Nelson. In the Captain's log often appear the entries "took the Lady Nelson in tow," and "cast off the Lady Nelson," showing that the little brig was unable to keep up with the larger vessels. The fleet sailed between the Great Barrier Reef and the mainland, at times only a narrow strip of coral separating it from the breakers, which rolled against the outer side of the reef. At other times it was impossible to see across the great breadth of the coral barrier.

On the 28th of August, Mount Warning was passed and the ships skirted Moreton Island in remarkably fine weather, which by the 1st of September turned very hot. The vessels continued to sail near the coast, and steered between two rocks called Peak* (* Now Perforated Island.) and Flat Island and the main. During the forenoon more rocky islands were observed, with a few trees growing on the very top—their outline having the appearance of a cock's comb. It was noticed that the water here was streaked for many miles with a brown scum supposed to be fish-spawn. At evening one of the Cumberland Islands, named Pure Island, provided an anchorage for the three ships; possibly the Lady Nelson alone had been in these waters previously, and it will be remembered, that it was hereabouts she had parted with the Investigator in the expedition of 1802. On September 6th, Cape Grafton was made, and as the ships coasted the land, the smoke of the native fires were seen on shore. At 9 o'clock on the 7th the ships passed Snapper Island and then Cape Tribulation, and at 6 P.M. anchored near Turtle Reef opposite to the mouth of Endeavour River.* (* Cooktown.) At 10 o'clock next morning Cape Flattery came into sight. Some of the ships' company landed on one of the Turtle Islands, further northwards, to examine it, and it was found to be formed of coral and shells. This night, "a fine moonlight night," the sailors spent in fishing, and several fish, marked with beautiful colours, were caught. Noble Rock or Island was seen next day, when the vessels came to an anchorage close to an island of the Howick Group. At evening, a very large native fire, a mile in extent, was seen on the mainland. On Saturday, September 11th, Cape Melville and the cluster of islands known as Flinders Group was passed. At this time sand banks surrounded the ships on all sides. They anchored in 14 degrees south latitude and next day ran through the islands known as Saxe Coburgs Range, and came to about 6 o'clock off Cape Direction. A fine run made by the vessels on the 13th, left Forbes and Sunday Islands behind, and they were brought to at night under one of the Bird Islands. At 4 o'clock on the 14th the Commander first saw Cape York, and at 5 o'clock anchored under Mount Adolphus. Some of the company went on shore in the evening, but met none of the natives, though traces of their visits were observed. Next day at 9 o'clock, Wednesday and Thursday Islands as well as numerous other islands lying to the north-east of the Gulf of Carpentaria were passed.

At 2 o'clock on September 17th, the west head of the Gulf of Carpentaria was seen; on the 19th the vessels reached Croker's Island, and anchored on the 20th at Port Essington. The Captain's log contains this entry on that day: "Took possession of the north coast of New Holland; and Lieutenant Roe buried a bottle containing a copy of the form of taking possession—and several coins of His Majesty—on a low sandy point bearing east from the ship which was named Point Record."* (* Captain's log, H.M.S. Tamar, Public Record Office.)

The following account of the proceedings was published in the Sydney Gazette:—

"The north coast of New Holland, or Australia, contained between the meridian of 129 and 135 degrees East of Greenwich with all the bays, rivers, harbours, creeks, therein and all the islands laying off were taken possession of in the name and right of His most Excellent Majesty, George the IV, King of Great Britain and Ireland, and His Majesty's colours hoisted at Port Essington, on 20th September, 1824, and at Melville and Bathurst Islands on 26th September, 1824, by James John Gordon Bremer, Commander of the most Honourable Military order of the Bath, Captain of H.M.S. Tamar and Commanding Officer of His Majesty's Forces employed on the said coast.

"His Majesty's colonial brig, Lady Nelson, and the British ship Countess of Harcourt in company.

"PORT COCKBURN,

"MELVILLE ISLAND,

"AUSTRALIA,

"September 26th, 1824."

During the stay of the ships at Port Essington, Captain Bremer sent boats in every direction to search for fresh water, knowing that, unless it were found, it would be impossible for the people to remain there permanently. On the 21st of September at daylight four boats went to examine the eastern shores. The soil on this side proved to be sandy and interspersed with red sandstone rock, which, it was thought, contained particles of iron. The trees were not very tall, and resembled those of New South Wales. But no water was found. Next day the boats went westward, and the search was still unsuccessful. On this side the country was superior to that to the eastward; it was more open, and the trees were of magnificent height.