Page:History of New South Wales from the records, Volume 1.djvu/444

Norfolk 330 . GOOD NEWS 1788 that there was no means at that time of keeping them 28 Sept alive in the colony — ^^ manj being under the necessitjr of frequently killing a part of what they have for w&nt of food to support them " — he determined to send to the Carpe for seed grain, flour, and other necessaries. The Sirius accordingly sailed on the 2nd October. The most important intelligence which Phillip had to communicate on this occasion was the cheering prospects of the little settlement at Norfolk Island. The good news received from Lieutenant King, the energetic Commandant^ had evidently put him in good spirits; and in that pleasant frame of mind he proceeded to describe the position of affairs on the island. Knowing that great hopes were enter- tained in England with respect to the probable supply of timber, canvas, and cordage for the use of the navy, he felt some satisfaction in stating that the pine-larees and the &hjl^ ^x and plant were likely to answer all the expectations that had been formed of them. The celebrity which he fondly hoped would be acquired for those productions was never obtained; nor had he any conception at that time of the very different reputation which the island was destined to acquire.. Extracts from my letters by the ships which sailed in July accompany this letter ; and I have now the honor of informing your lordship that the Supply sailed for Norfolk Island the 17th of July, and returning the 26th of August^ brought me the foUow- Kingr's ing particulars from the Commandant of that island. He says that, ^^ immediately after being landed, they proceeded to clear ground sufficient for building huts for themselves and a store-house, the whole island not affording a single acre free from timber. They were landed on the south-west end of the island, a rough sketch of which I received from that officer, and have the honor of enclosiog your lordship. The bay in which they landed is sheltered by a reef of coral rock, through which there is a passa^ for a boat^ but which, with the tide of flood when the wind is westerly, makes the landing dangerous ; and a midshipman who was ordered to laj B<Mtt*s orow within the reef in order to attend the boats coming on shore, im- ^^^ prudently letting the boat drive into the surf,- was lost with four Digitized by Google