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
Some notice has already been taken in the preceding sheets of Rio de
Janeiro, Norfolk Isle, and Lord Howe Isle; but since they were committed
to the press, the following particulars respecting those places have very
obligingly been communicated to the editor, by Lieutenant Henry Lidgbird
Ball. As these remarks are the result of minute observation, they cannot
fail of being useful and interesting to the seafaring reader, which, it
is presumed, will be a sufficient apology for giving them a place here.
There is no danger in going up the harbour to Rio de Janeiro but what may
easily be seen. The course up the harbour is north-west by north; you
anchor before the town in seventeen fathoms water, over a muddy bottom;
the middle of the town bearing west by north, west, or west by south,
about a mile and an half distant from the watering place, and the Fort
Saint Cruz bearing south-east. No pilot is necessary; the soundings
a-breast of St. Cruz Fort are twenty-two fathoms, and shoal gradually to
seventeen fathoms, where the ships moored a-breast of the town. The tide
flows two hours and thirty minutes at full and change, and rises in
general about eight feet. In going into the harbour, it is necessary to
keep the starboard shore best aboard, as the tide sets on the other side,
till you get nearly a-breast of St. Cruz Fort, and in that situation you
must be on your guard, if going in with the flood, as the passage is
narrow: and there are whirlpools in many places, which will take all
command from the rudder. Water is procured at a pipe, by which it is
conveyed from a fountain situated in the large square near the principal
landing place, which is opposite the palace. This pipe is continued down
to the waterside, and you fill your casks in boats: the water is so
plentiful, that a fleet might be supplied in a short time.
Bullocks, sheep, and Portugal wine, may be had here in plenty; there is
also an excellent market for poultry and vegetables every day; in short,
every refreshment that is necessary for a fleet may be procured in great
abundance, and very cheap.
The whole harbour, as well as the town, is defended by a number of strong
fortifications; and as far as Lieutenant Ball had an opportunity of
examining the harbour, the draft of it published in the East India chart
is very true, the soundings right, and the bearings very accurate.
Their trade is chiefly to Portugal, and consists of bullion, indigo,
sugar, rum, tobacco, brazil wood, whale-oil, whale bone, spermaceti, etc.
and of late years diamonds and many other valuable commodities.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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