Page:The life of Matthew Flinders.djvu/377

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.
292
LIFE OF MATTHEW FLINDERS

who appeared in the uniforms of the King's navy. With good humour came a feeling of hope. "On the fourth day," wrote Flinders in a letter,[1] "each division of officers and men had its private tent, and the public magazine contained sufficient provisions and water to subsist us three months. We had besides a quantity of other things upon the bank, and our manner of living and working had assumed the same regularity as on board His Majesty's ships. I had to punish only one man, formerly a convict at Port Jackson; and on that occasion I caused the articles of war to be read, and represented the fatal consequences that might ensue to our whole community from any breach of discipline and good order, and the certainty of its encountering immediate punishment."

The stores available,[2] with the periods for which they would suffice on full allowance, consisted of:

Biscuit
Flour
940
9644
lbs.
"
83 days
Beef in four pounds
Pork in two pounds
1776
592
pieces
"
94 days
Pease 45 bushels 107 days.
Oatmeal 50 " 48 days.
Rice 1225 lbs. 114 days.
Sugar
Molasses
320
125
"
"
84 days.
Spirits
Wine
Porter
225
113
60
gallons
"
"
49 days.
Water, 5650 gallons at half a gallon per day.

In addition there were some sauer kraut, essence of malt, vinegar, salt, a new suit of sails, some spars, a kedge anchor, iron-work and an armourer's forge, can-

  1. Flinders' Papers.
  2. Sydney Gazette, September 18th, 1803.