268 S£LECTING A SITE. northern part of the bay runs a considerable way into the country, but it had only water for a boat; the sides of this creek are frequently overflowed, and the low lands are a swamp. The western branch runs np for a considerable distance, but the officers I sent to examine it could not find any water except in very small drains. The best situation that offered was near Point Sutherland, where there was a small run of good water ; but the ground near it, as well as a considerable part of the higher ground, was spongy, and the ships could not approach this part of the bay. Several good situations offeied for a small number of people, but none that appeared calculated for our numl>ers, and where the stores and provisions could be landed without a great deal of time. When I considered the bay's being so very open, and the probsr bility of the swamps rendering the most eligible situation unhealthy, I judged it advisable to examine Port Jackson j but that no time might be lost if I did not succeed in finding a better harbour and a proper situation for the settlement, the ground near Point Suther- land was in the meantime to be cleared, and preparations made for landing under the direction of the Lieutenant-Governor. As the time in which I might be absent, if I went in the Supply, must have been very uncertain, I went round with three boats, taking with me Captain Hunter and several officers, that, by examining difierent parts of the port at the same time, less time might be lost.* We got into Port Jackson early in the afternoon, and had the satisfaction of finding the finest harbour in the world, in which a thousand sail of the line may nde in the most perfect security. 1788 15 May. Oook's River. Point Sutherland. Unpromis- ing site for tlie colony. Port Jackflon to be examined. Aboat voyage.
- Phillip's Voyage, p. 47 ; CoUinfl, p. 3 ; Hunter, p. 42 ; Tench, p. 48.
According to Hunter, it was Phillip's intention to steer for Broken Bay in the first instance. " In this examination, a large opening, or bay, about three leacues and a half to the northward of Cape Banks, was the first place we looked into : it had an unpromising appearance on entering between the outer heads or capes that form its entrance, which are high, rugged, and perpendicular cliffs ; but we had not gone far in before we discovered a large branch extending to the southward ; into this we went, and soon found ourselves perfectly land-locked, with a good depth of water. We proceeded up for two days, examining every cove or other place which we found capable of receiving ships ; the country was also particularly noticed, and found sreatly superior in every respect to that round Botany Bay. The Governor, being satisfied with the eligibUity of this situation, determined to fix his residence here, and returned immediately to the ships." Digitized by Google
