The Voyage of Governor Phillip to Botany Bay: With an Account of the Establishment of the Colonies of Port Jackson and Norfolk Island (1789)Phillip, Arthur
History
The Voyage of Governor Phillip to Botany Bay: With an Account of the Establishment of the Colonies of Port Jackson and Norfolk Island (1789)
Phillip, Arthur
Natural history -- Australia -- New South Wales; New South Wales -- Discovery and exploration; Norfolk Island
It was understood from the natives that they called the island from which
they came, Simboo; for whenever an attempt was made to put that question
to them, they pointed to the land near Cape Satisfaction, and uttered
that word. Of these men, Lieutenant Shortland remarks, that they were
remarkably stout and well built, from which appearance he very
judiciously drew a favourable conclusion with respect to the goodness and
plenty of their food. Their superiority over the New Hollanders in size
and strength, he says, was very striking. Their canoes, which contained
from six to fourteen men, seemed to be well put together, the bows and
stems very lofty, carved with various figures, and stained with a kind of
red paint; in a word, they were to all appearance formed exactly upon the
same model and construction as those of Otaheite. The ornaments worn by
the inhabitants of Simboo were large rings of a white bone, one or more
of which every man had upon his wrist, and a shell with a feather, which
was tied upon the head. Lieutenant Shortland was desirous to purchase one
of their lances, but could not obtain it. About two in the afternoon his
visitors, finding perhaps that they had followed the ship as far as they
could venture to trust themselves, left him, and made immediately for the
shore. From what was seen in the possession of these people, there can be
no doubt that their land produces cocoa-nuts, bread-fruit, bananas, and
most other vegetables of the Society and Friendly Isles. Nor was it
without the greatest regret that Lieutenant Shortland declined the
invitations of the natives, and proceeded without touching for
refreshments, which doubtless might have been obtained in plenty; but the
length and uncertainty of his passage seemed to forbid the least delay;
nor was it at this time foreseen how much superior to every other
consideration the acquirement of a wholesome change of diet would be
found. The bay from which these men had come he named Indian Bay. At
three P. M. the longitude was, by lunar observation, 156° 55' east; and
at six the furthest land in sight bore north, Cape Satisfaction east by
south half east, and the body of the land north-east, distant five or six
leagues. The furthest point of land north was named Cape Middleton.
7 August 1788
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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