The Logbooks of the Lady Nelson

T PHILLIP, TASMANI

st while he was in that ship. She is well known on account of her many pioneering voyages, and it is also recorded that her figure-head was the effigy of a kangaroo, and for this reason, on her first arrival in Sydney, she became an object of no little interest to the natives. Symons' appointment was some

y chosen, was unsuitable, and asked King's permission to move the whole settlement to Tasmania.* (* Collins settled at what is now Sorrento. It is curious that no proper examination of the northern shores of Port Phillip was carried out by Colonel Collins. Had he done so, he must have found the Yarra.) His cousin

place or to Port Dalrymple on the northern shores of Tasmania. The Governor also gave orders for the Lady Nelson, then on the point of sailing to Norfolk Island, to be cleared of her cargo and to be made ready to sail with the Ocean back to Port Phillip. Two other ships-the

anted leave of absence to go with Captain Flinders in the Investigator.) The brig was singularly unfortunate in her passage to Port Phillip. So rough was the weather on arriving in Bass Strait, that "after beating a fortnight against a south-westerly wind," she was eventually obliged to bear up for the Kent Group.* (* Robert Brown's Manuscript letters to Banks, des

, and with a view to reporting upon its suitability for a settlement, the Master was directed to call at the Group and ascertain who was on shore there. This he did, and he found the Lady Nelson still in the cove where she had sought refuge. Mr. Brown, during his enforced stay there, had explored all the islands of the group in sear

ile the brig lay at anchor, Mr. Collins explored the River Tamar as far as One Tree Reach, and Mr. Brown resumed his botanical researches; his letters show that he made several excursions into the inland country in order to examine its flora, which,

urable, but Colonel Collins had already decided that he could not do better than repair, with his establishment, to the Derwent. He came to this decision on account of some of the military at Port Phillip "manifesting an improper spirit," and

ishment.) After a passage of ten days, the brig anchored in Risdon Cove, the site of Bowen's settlement, the Ocean arriving a few days later. Colonel Collins did not think Risdon the most eligible spot for the purpose of a settlement, and he encamped "on the banks of a small but apparently constant stream, which empties

a again in order to convey the stores and stock remaining at Port Phillip to Sullivan's Cove. Collins's settlement at this place, and the original colony at Risdon, were then fast becoming united. A little later, Bowen's sett

settlement, being only six miles from Sullivan's Cove. In the same ship came Lieutenant Moore with a detachment of the New South Wales Corps on duty at Risdon, Mr. Jacob Mountgarrett, surgeon, Mr. Brown, naturalist, and s

ged as far as Port Dalrymple in the Integrity for he returned to the Derwent in the Pilgrim (Sydney Gazette, April 22nd, 1804). Ev

lled, in honour of Governor King; shortly afterwards he renamed it Newcastle.) Hitherto only some colliers and a guard had been stationed there, in order to ensure a supply of coals for Sydney and for the Government ships, but now the Governor directed that the spot should be raised to the dignity of a settlem

Menzies,

eham, S

, natural hi

Tucker, s

hree sawyers, a gardener, a sal

rgeant and four privates of

t, superi

e con

he J

ers with implements, and store

or Sydney, the Lady Nelson receiving on board "twenty-six fine logs of rich cedar." The homeward voyage was unfortunate, as the James was lost off Broken Bay. Leaving Newcastle in a very leaky condition, and encountering a gale, the water gradually gained fast upon her and stopped her progress. Two days afterwards the pumps became choked, and the five men who composed her crew had to bale wit

alt staves and hoops for the purpose of curing pork, a supply of which was greatly needed for the colony. For eighteen days continuous gales buffeted the ship and drove her so far northward that she could not make her port of destination. Besides bad weather, she

orth-west side of the River Thames, nearly two hundred natives surrounded the brig and were welcomed on board. They brought with them potatoes, and other vegetables, as well as mats and native curios to barter for nails, buttons, etc. At sunset they left the vessel. On the following morning the Commander went on shore and the natives following him quickly found him a watering place. On being offered a pig by o

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 t

THE LAD

ing Lieutenant

on, New So

o Norfol

4 North Head of Port Jackson 4 leagues. At 8 the Francis in sight.

any with the Francis at 5

bow bearing north-north-east distant 5 leagues, Ball's Pyramid bearing north-east

Tacked ship and stoo

squalls of rain. How's Isl

at 4 split the main-sail and fore-top-mast stay-sail. At 9 fine pleasant we

weather: at 4 bent new main-sail: at 10 bore away f

y P.M. Cloudy wea

. At 8 A.M. tacked ship: at 9 split the fore-top-gal

nt yard and set the sail: at 4 A.M. set the lower and fore-top-mast studding sail. At

breezes. At 3 calm, light

squalls of wind and rain. At 5

s and bad sea from east-south-east. At 2 saw th

ngs and in search of wood and water, sent boat ashore, lost

1 made sail close und

e of New Zealand: went ashore, got some wood and water: at 6 A.M. went on shore aga

iver Thames. At 7 went on shore, found it a bad landing: could not get water: got

e bower anchor in 11 fathoms water and sent boat ashore for wood and water. At 11 weighed

sland bearing north-west distant 10 miles. At daylight made all sail into the bay bearing west: t

eezes: at 2 sent boat ashore: a

and water: at 10 wind north-north-

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 ancho

9 more moderate. Latitude by ob

r weather: at 8 took one reef in the

sh breezes: took in top-gallant sails: at 10 strong breezes and squally: at 12 A.M. tacked

reezes and clear: at 1 got main-to

from northward. Set the squar

. Light wind and clear

2 saw Norfolk Island bearing s

rfolk island distant 6 leagues. At

es: at sunset Norfolk Island distant 5 leagues: at 8 Norfolk I

rs of New South Wales Corps and baggage and left a pilot on board: at 10 A.M. a boat

ther not permitting stretched off and on all night: at 6 close in with the land: at 8 A.M. tacked ship and

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

and at Sydney if the swell abated: stretched off with ship to windward between 2 islands to keep her ground: a

ith flour and sent her on shore: at 8 A.M. towed

8 A.M. got under the land and fired a gun: at 9 A.M. the boat came on b

ived orders and passengers on b

unished J. Druce with 24 lashes for theft.* (* Druce subseque

N'S ANCHORAGE

ght airs and clear weather.

t winds and cloudy: small breezes with some ra

ens bearing north by east 5 leagues: at 11 A.M. off the Coal River, fired 2

rd: hoisted her in and made sail for Port Jackson. At 12 A.M. light winds: at 7 ma

e the Supply and made fast. The officers of New South Wales Corps went on shore. At 8 A.M. ca

learing decks and putting things to rights and sending things o

ng ship at the dockyard and refi

to the Hawke

Employed getting on board wat

8th. At 12 A.M. got

een the Heads and came to off Camp Cove: a

Head of Broken Bay and Ballinjoy*: (* Barrenjoey.) a

Britannia's beach at 2: at 5 came to with t

r Bay: at 9 winds more moderate: Got under weigh and towed

er. P.M. Came to anch

asant weather. Got out flour and brick

M. At 8 hard gusts wind with

wallis Farm. At 1 came to anchor: at 8 A.M. hauled in shore an

wheat and dropped down river: at 9 came t

and towed down river: at 5 moored off Gre

ls to Sy

l Salute in commemoration of the King's Coronation: received r

t 3 got under weigh: at 10 came to with the kedge in Pugh's Reach:

ceeded 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

bove the Bar: at 5 A.M. weighed; at 8 passed Mullett's Island: at 10 spoke a sloop of Ballin

t Jackson and proceeded up the Harbour: at 3 P.M. came to anchor in

signature J