Page:Historical records of Port Phillip.djvu/101

EARLY RECORDS OF PORT PHILLIP. 89 ward. Capt. Woodri£f and Lieut. Governor Collins went on shore on the south side of the island. At C they returned. Could not find any fresh water. They reported the soil to be very bad, and the trees small, unfit for the use of H.M. Navy. The Bay is very large, more so than any I ever see, but the enterance does not exceed a mile and a half, though from the camp, S.W. to the N.E. of the Bay, it is not less than 60 miles to the fresh water lake. At 10 it blew a very hard gale of wind. It was very fortunate for us that we arrived at our destina- tion in the morn. 12, do. wr., with very hard squalls. H.M. ship Calcutta at Anchor in Port Phillip Harbour, New South Wales, October 1803. Monday, 10. Wind S.S.E. a.m.— At 10, Lieut. Patteshal, Mr. White, and self, went on the south side of the Bay, opposite the ship, and many miles in and round the opposite shore, but could not find any water but what was very brackish that we could not drink. The land was very bad, light soil, and a great many of the trees blown up by the roots, which appeared to have taken very little root. Not any of the natives did we see, but many hutts, in which were cockle shells and muscle. We see a few birds, parrots and a couple of quails ; not the least vestige of any quadrupedes or fish. Along the shore we returnd by no means satisfied with the country. The Capt. and Governor went on shore and found no water that was good, but a small run near Arthers Seat, the east side of the Bay.^ When we arrived here it was in the spring, the month of April ^ 1803. Tuesday, 11. Wind S.S.E. a.m. — The same party and self went on shore to the island in the middle of the Bay, now called Signet [Mud] Island, where we see [a great number of black swans. I was the first that killd one on the island. We kill 3, and caught many alive, and caught many pelicans, and some sea birds. Capt. W. and the Gov., with Mr. Tuckey, went on the west side of the Bay to procure water. Could not find any. Three of the natives were friendly with them, and gave Mr. T. a spear. The information that the Governor, &c., gave was by no means favourable, for want of soil, water, and trees. The difi'erence of time with us and England is nine hours forty three minutes : we are so much forwarder than they are. Wednesday, 12. Wind westly. a.m. — Fresh breezes and cloudy. Sent a party on shore cutting grass, and another watering. At 7, the Capt. and Col. Collins, and 1 Lieut., Mr. Tuckey, went to the northern part of the Bay to procure water, and see the same three natives. The Colony Surgeons report the water procured by sinking tubs as wells to be good and fit for use. The Capt. gave one of the natives a blanket. They attended them some time. At 15. past 11. the Captain and spot within five miles of the water will produce wheat or any other grain that requires either much moistiire or good soil. On some of the highest elevations an arid sea-sand is found, giving nourishment to no other vegetable than heath and fern. The basis of the hills consist of very coarse granite, which is here found in every stage of formation, from grains scarcely adhering, and crumbling into sand between the fingers, to the perfect stone which almost defies the chissel." — _Tucke>j, p. 157.] ' This day died John Skilhorne, free settler. The first death.— Z:*/. • 1 presume he means the equivalent of April of the northern hemisphere."— [C] •i t(