An Historical Journal of the Transactions at Port Jackson and Norfolk Island Part 41

The Matilda and the Mary-Ann transports returned from their fis.h.i.+ng-cruize on the 10th of November. These vessels had run to the southward in search of seals, and met with very bad weather, but saw no fish. The Matilda had put into Jervis-Bay, which, according to the master's account, is a very fine harbour, the anchorage very good, and capable of receiving the largest s.h.i.+ps.

These two vessels, after refitting, sailed again to try for fish on this coast.

Our colonists began to reap the barley on the 22d of November, and the wheat was getting ripe.

The Supply armed tender, after having been under repair from the time she returned from Norfolk-Island, was found, on a survey, to be in so bad a state, that the best repair which could be given her in this country, would only render her serviceable for six months longer; Governor Phillip, therefore, ordered her to England, and she sailed on the 26th of November.

From the debilitated state in which many of the convicts were landed from the last s.h.i.+ps, the number of sick were greatly increased; the surgeon's returns on the 27th, being upwards of four hundred sick at Parramatta; and the same day medicines were distributed to one hundred and ninety-two at Sydney. To the number of sick at Parramatta, upwards of one hundred may be added, who were so weak that they could not be put to any kind of labour, not even to that of pulling gra.s.s for thatching the huts.

Forty-two convicts died in the month of November, and in these people nature seemed fairly to be worn out; many of them were so thoroughly exhausted that they expired without a groan, and apparently without any kind of pain.

Showers of rain had been more frequent lately than for many months past, but not in the abundance which the ground required; and, from the extreme dryness of the weather, and from the ground not being sufficiently worked before the maize was put into it, a great number of acres were likely to be destroyed. This was one of the many inconveniencies the settlement laboured under, from the want of people to employ in agriculture, who would feel themselves interested in the labour of those that were under their direction, and who had some knowledge as farmers.

The following parcels of land were in cultivation at Parramatta, in November, 1791.

Acres./Roods./Perches.

351 2 5 in Maise.

44 1 8 Wheat.

6 1 30 Barley.

1 0 0 Oats.

2 0 3 Potatoes.

4 2 0 Not cultivated, but cleared.

4 2 15 Mostly planted with vines.

6 0 0 The governor's garden, partly sown with maize and wheat.

80 0 0 Garden-ground belonging to individuals.

17 0 0 Land in cultivation by the New South Wales corps.

150 0 0 Cleared, and to be sowed with turnips.

91 3 2 Ground in cultivation by settlers.

28 0 0 Ground in cultivation by officers of the civil and military.

134 0 0 Inclosed, and the timber thinned for feeding cattle.

The above grounds were measured by David Burton, the public gardener, who observes, that the soil in most places is remarkably good, and only wants cultivation to be fit for any use, for the ground that has been the longest in cultivation bears the best crops.

Of the convicts who were received by the last s.h.i.+ps, there were great numbers of the worst of characters, particularly amongst those who came from Ireland, and whose great ignorance led them into schemes more destructive to themselves than they were likely to be to the settlement. Some of these people had formed an idea that they could go along the coast, and subsist on oysters and other sh.e.l.l-fish, till they reached some of the Chinese settlements: others had heard that there were a copper coloured people only one hundred and fifty miles to the northward, where they would be free. Full of these notions, three parties set off; but, after straggling about for many days, several of them were taken, and others returned to the settlement. Governor Phillip was less inclined to inflict any punishment on these people, than to punish those who had deceived them by the information of "not being far from some of the Chinese settlements, and near people who would receive them, and where they would have every thing they wanted, and live very happy:"

These reasons most of them a.s.signed for going into the woods, and where some of them still remained, dreading a severe punishment if they returned: a general pardon was therefore promised to all those who came back within a certain time, as several were supposed to be lurking in the woods near the settlement; however, some of these wretches were so prepossessed with the idea of being able to live in the woods and on the sea-coast until they could reach a settlement, or find a people who would maintain them without labour, that several who were brought in when almost famished, and carried to the hospital, went away again as soon as they were judged able to return to their labour; and although what would be called a day's work in England is very seldom done by any convict in the settlement, yet some of them declared that they would sooner perish in the woods than be obliged to work; and forty were now absent.

In order to give those who might be still lurking near the settlement an opportunity of returning, all the convicts were a.s.sembled, and a pardon was promised to all who returned within five days; at the same time they were a.s.sured that very severe punishment would be inflicted on any who were taken after the expiration of that time, or who should in future attempt to leave the settlement.

Several appeared sensible of the lenity shown them when their irons were taken off, but some of them appeared capable of the most desperate attempts, and even talked of seizing on the soldiers arms; they were, however, informed, that no mercy would be shown to any who were even seen near those that might make an attempt of the kind.

All the whalers who came into the harbour to refit, sailed again by the 1st of December, and the Albemarle and the Active transports sailed on the 2d for Bombay, where they were to load with cotton for England.

A new store was now covered in at Sydney, which was the best that had been built in the colony; and was intended for the convicts cloathing and the implements of husbandry: it has a second floor, and is eighty feet in length by twenty-four feet in breadth. A building of fifty-six feet by twenty-four was likewise covered in at Parramatta, and was intended for a place of wors.h.i.+p, until a church could be built.

The idea of finding a Chinese settlement at no great distance to the northward, still prevailed amongst the Irish convicts; and on the 4th of December, two of them stole the surgeon's boat, but they only got a few miles to the northward of the harbour when they were obliged to run her on sh.o.r.e. Some officers who were out a shooting, saw this boat on the beach, and stove a plank in her, that she might not be carried away; they also saw the two men, who ran into the woods; however, a convict who had been six weeks in the woods, and was scarcely able to walk, gave himself up to the officers, and, with their a.s.sistance, was able to return to Sydney.

Many of those convicts who left the settlement, as has already been related, came back; some were still missing, and several were said to be killed by the natives. The miserable situation of those who returned to the settlement, would, it was believed, most effectually prevent any more excursions of the like nature.

On the 5th of December, the Queen transport returned from Norfolk-Island, with the lieutenant-governor of the territory, who was relieved by Lieutenant-Governor King; a detachment of marines who had been doing duty on the island; a party of the New South Wale corps, who were relieved by Captain Paterson, and some convicts, whose times for which they had been sentenced were expired.

By the 7th, the Gorgon was nearly ready for sea, and the detachment of marines who came from England in the first s.h.i.+ps was ordered to hold themselves ready to embark, except one captain, three lieutenants, eight non-commissioned officers, and fifty privates, who were to stay at Port Jackson until the remainder of the New South Wales corps should arrive: those marines who were desirous of becoming settlers, remained likewise, to the number of thirty-one.

Governor Phillip had frequently been solicited by Bannelong, to receive Ballederry, the native who wounded a convict in June, 1791, into favour again, but he always refused; however, on the 14th of December, he was informed that Ballederry was extremely ill. The surgeon had been to see him, and found him in a fever; and the first question he asked was, whether the Governor was still angry, or if he would let him be brought to the hospital to be cured. Bannelong had fetched the surgeon to Ballederry, and returned with him to Governor Phillip; who saying he was not angry, and telling him to bring his companion to the settlement, he said he would; so, early the next morning, Ballederry was brought in. At first, he seemed under great apprehensions, but they presently subsided, on the governor taking him by the hand, and promising that when he was recovered he should reside with him again. Poor Ballederry appeared to be very ill, and went with the surgeon to the hospital.

Of those convicts who were received from the last s.h.i.+ps, one hundred and fourteen males, and two females, died before the 15th of December: the number of sick had considerably decreased lately; the surgeon's list being now reduced from six hundred and two to four hundred and three.

The Matilda and the Mary-Ann transports came into the harbour on the 16th; these s.h.i.+ps had been out but nine days. The Matilda had been into Jervis-Bay, but had not seen any spermaceti whales.

The Mary-Ann fell in with one shoal; it was in the evening when all the boats were absent from the s.h.i.+p: the master was in hopes they should have the fish about them the next morning, but he had the mortification to find that a current had driven the s.h.i.+p fifty miles to the southward.

The Gorgon dropped down the harbour on the 17th of December, Captain Parker intending to sail the next day. The detachment under the command of Major Ross were embarked, agreeable to the orders which had previously been given.

Here closes the Journal of Governor Phillip; which contained the latest accounts from New South Wales; being received by the Gorgon, that left Port Jackon in December, 1791.

The following Journal of Lieutenant Ball of the Supply, is subjoined; because it contains an account of a voyage from Port Jackson by the route of Cape Horn, which was made in a shorter time than had ever been performed by any other vessel.

Chapter XXIV

VOYAGE TO ENGLAND FROM PORT JACKSON

November 1791 to April 1792

-The Supply leaves Port Jackson.--Receives some damage in a storm.--Doubles Cape Horn.--Pa.s.ses Staten's land.--Anchors at Rio Janeiro.--Refreshments procured.--Departure from Rio Janciro.--Proceeds towards England.--Arrives off the Lizard.--Particulars respecting Norfolk-Island.-

Having received orders from Governor Phillip to get the Supply ready for sea, I had every thing in readiness by the 25th of November; and early the next morning, we weighed anchor, and stood out of Sydney Cove, with a moderate breeze at east-north-east, and pleasant weather.

I had a Kanguroo on board, which I had directions to carry to Lord Grenville, as a present for his Majesty.

Governor Phillip, accompanied by Captain John Parker, of the Gorgon, breakfasted on board the Supply the morning of our departure; and soon afterwards they left us, and proceeded to the look-out at Port Jackson.

At four o'clock in the afternoon, we lost sight of the land, and stood to the southward, with a moderate breeze at north-east.

In the forenoon of the 29th, the wind s.h.i.+fted to the southward, and blew a very strong gale, which brought us under low sail, but at five o'clock the weather grew moderate.

A vast number of birds were about the s.h.i.+p, and a land bird, of a singular kind, was caught: our lat.i.tude, at noon, was 38 31' south, and the longitude 154 23' east.

On the 2d of December, we saw a whale; our lat.i.tude, at noon, was 44 21' south, and the longitude, by lunar observation, 156 20' east: the variation of the compa.s.s, 10 00'

east. I now ordered the s.h.i.+p to be well cleaned every day between decks, being firmly convinced that cleanliness conduces very much to preserve the health of seaman. On the 4th, we had light, variable winds, chiefly from the northward: the lat.i.tude, at noon, was 47 10' south, the longitude, by observed distances of the sun and moon, 160 20', and the variation of the compa.s.s 11 20' east.

In the afternoon, a thick fog came on, with light drizzling rain, which continued till the forenoon of the 5th, when the fog dispersed, and the weather cleared up. We saw some rock weed, and a great number of blue petrels and albatrosses were about the s.h.i.+p. In the afternoon, we pa.s.sed more rock weed, and saw a number of whales. On the 6th, we had a fresh gale from the southward, and saw a vast number of petrels; albatrosses, etc.

were about the vessel: we pa.s.sed a great quant.i.ty of rock-weed, and perceiving the water to change colour, we hove to, and sounded, but got no bottom with 120 fathoms of line. The wind continued to blow strong from the southward, which brought on a very high, irregular swell, and occasioned the s.h.i.+p to labour and work very much: we still pa.s.sed vast quant.i.ties of rock-weed, and had a number of birds about the s.h.i.+p. The lat.i.tude, at noon on the 8th, was 50 44' south, and the longitude, by the time-keeper, 172 56' east. The s.h.i.+p laboured greatly, which occasioned her to make water in her top-sides.

Great numbers of petrels, gulls, albatrosses, etc. were daily seen about the s.h.i.+p, and a whale was seen in the afternoon of the 10th. The wind continued to blow from the southward, strong and in squalls, until the 12th, when it s.h.i.+fted to the northward and westward. The lat.i.tude, at noon, was 53 56'

south, and the longitude, by the time-keeper, 188 49'

east.

At two o'clock in the morning of the 13th, the s.h.i.+p was p.o.o.ped with a very heavy sea, which entirely stove in the two mids.h.i.+p windows of the stern, and filled the cabin with water, great part of which ran down into the bread-room. In the afternoon of the 14th, a violent squall came on from the westward, which at six o'clock increased to a perfect storm, with an exceeding high sea; this occasioned me to keep the s.h.i.+p before it, and I found her steer very well; indeed, much better than I could possibly have expected in such a situation.