An Historical Journal of the Transactions at Port Jackson and Norfolk IslandHunter, John
History
An Historical Journal of the Transactions at Port Jackson and Norfolk Island
Hunter, John
New South Wales -- History -- Sources
As our sick, from the very low state they were in when we
arrived, were likely to detain me longer here than it was my wish
or intention to have staid, I determined to avail myself of that
time, and convert a spare top-mast into a mizen-mast; the ship
being in certain situations, very unsafe for want of after-sail;
and the head of the main mast being much crippled by the weight
of the try-sail, I set the carpenters immediately to work upon
this job, which was soon completed; but on examining the head of
the fore-mast, I found it was also very defective, which
determined me to reef both the top-masts.
On the 13th of January, 1792, having completed our provisions
for sixteen weeks, I directed that such of the men as were
sufficiently recovered to proceed upon the voyage, might be
discharged from sick quarters and sent on board. On the 18th,
with a breeze from south-south-east, we ran down to Robbin's
Island, where, it falling calm, we anchored. On the 19th, with a
south-west breeze, we stretched out to sea. We left five men at
sick quarters who were too weakly to be taken on board.
On the 4th of February, at five in the afternoon, we saw the
island of Saint Helena, and at noon we anchored off James's
Valley in fourteen and a half fathoms, and moored ship: I sent an
officer on shore to wait on the governor, who wrote me a very
polite note, expressing his concern for the misfortune I had met
with, and offering every refreshment the island could afford to
my seamen. On the 5th, I landed, and was received by the governor
under the usual salute given to captains of his Majesty's ships
(eleven guns). On the 13th, we left the island, having received
fresh beef for our ship's company during our stay there, and
having completed our water.
I should very ill deserve the civilities I received here, if I
were not to take this opportunity of expressing my obligations to
Lieutenant Colonel Brooke, the governor of this island, and to
every individual of his family, for their great politeness and
very friendly attention to myself and officers whilst we remained
at this island.
On the 22d of April we arrived at Portsmouth.
[An account of the observations for finding the variation of the compass...]
[The tables are included in the HTML version]
A Voyage From Port Jackson to England
* * * * *
The LORDS of the ADMIRALTY, from a zealous wish to promote the
nautical interests of Great-Britain, were pleased to permit the
publication of the following letter from CAPTAIN HUNTER; which
gives his opinion on the best course from NEW SOUTH WALES to
EUROPE; and which closes the instructive communications of that
able navigator.
To the RIGHT HONOURABLE the LORDS COMMISSIONERS of the
ADMIRALTY:
My Lords,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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