An officer who remained on the bank, relating what occurred there during the absence of Captain Flinders, says,
“A saw-pit was formed, the forge set up, and every thing got in forwardness for laying down a new boat. Our toils were for the present at an end, and we were a very comfortable community, lodged in huts made of sails, looking forward with patience to the arrival of a ship, and each amusing himself in the way best suited to his inclination. An island, situated about nine or ten miles E. by N. of us, attracted our attention, and was visited in the remaining boat, by Lieutenant Fowler, soon after the departure of Captain Flinders. It was much larger, and more perfect in its formation, than our own, being nearly a mile in circumference, abounding in birds, with turtle occasionally visiting it; and it moreover was covered pretty deeply with vegetable soil. The birds were chiefly oceanic, and had resorted thither to hatch their young, which afforded us an opportunity of procuring eggs in plenty. The first visit to this spot repaid us with a supply of all its delicacies, for the boat returned loaded; one turtle was caught, and the cargo was completed with eggs and birds, which was an incitement to future adventurers. About this time also, we had a heavy and productive fall of rain, which came down in such torrents one morning, that our tents were not proof against its violence, and wo were turned out of our beds; but were amply repaid for the interruption of our repose by a fortnight’s supply of excellent wholesome water. This was put to the general stock, and gave confirmation to our hopes of release; for we dreaded at first want of water, which, under a hot sun, is infinitely more distressing than scarcity of victuals. Bread was the only perishable article in the ship, and it was, as you can easily suppose, spoiled by the salt water; but we had flour in abundance, which, when mixed up with a little salt water and hog’s-lard, and baked in the ashes, made a palatable substitute: of fresh water, we had never less than half a gallon a day, so that our situation was neither irksome nor painful. Half allowance, or a gill of spirits, was daily served, over which we talked in the evening; oeconomy and care were only wanting, to make the allowance adequate to our appetites[1].”
Captain Flinders arrived at Port Jackson on the 8th Sept. 1803: the following is an extract of his official letter to Governor King, announcing the fate of the Porpoise:
- ↑ Nav. Chron. xvi, 227 et seq.
