They sailed on March 8th, 1801, and were surveying until May 2nd, when
Grant sums up the work done in these words:--
"We have now gained a complete survey of the coast from Western
Point to Wilson's Promontory, with the situation of the different
islands of the same, and ascertained the latitudes of the same,
which from our different observations we have been able to do
sufficiently correct.... These points being ascertained so far as
lays in our power, I judge it most prudent to make the best of our
way to port, keeping the shore well in sight to observe every
particular hitherto unknown."
The portions left out in this extract refer to the latitudes and
longitudes, which are so correctly given that the only ascertainable
difference between them and the figures in a recent addition of Norrie is
in the case of Wilson's Promontory, which Grant says is [Sidenote: 1801]
in longitude between 146° 25' and 146° 14', and Norrie's table gives
us 146° 25' 37".
On the return of the little vessel, she took part in an interesting
ceremony, which the following proclamation by Governor King, dated May
29th, best describes:--
"Thursday next being the anniversary of His Majesty's birth, will
be observed as a holyday. The present Union will be hoisted at
sunrise. At a quarter before nine the New South Wales Corps and
Association to be under arms, when the Royal Proclamation for the
Union between Great Britain and Ireland will be publicly read by
the Provost-Marshall, and on the New Union flag being displayed at
Dawes Point and on board His Majesty's armed vessel _Lady Nelson_
the military will fire three rounds, which the batteries will take
up, beginning at the main guard, Bennilong and Dawes Points, at
the Windmill Hills, and at the barracks. When finished, His
Majesty's armed vessel the _Lady Nelson_ will fire 21 guns, man
ship, and cheer. At noon the salute will be repeated from the
batteries, New South Wales Corps and Association will fire three
rounds, and at one o'clock the _Lady Nelson_ will fire 21 guns in
honour of His Majesty's birthday. The Governor will be ready to
receive the compliments of the officers, civil and military, on
those happy occasions, at half-past one o'clock."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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