SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 11th, 1824
The wind blowing fresh from the south, with a flood side, weighed from under Cape Moreton, and stood along the extensive shoal that runs off from the N.W. point of Moreton Island. The sea broke very heavily on this spit, and we frequently had breakers in five fathoms. I think it extends farther to the N.W. than is laid down in the sketch by Captain Flinders. After rounding this reef we worked to windward between it and the main in a very excellent channel with a smooth sea, though outside the spit there was a very heavy swell from the east. At noon, falling calm with the ebb tide, we anchored in six and a-half fathoms, distance off the Main about a mile, and observed the latitude, 27° 00’ 37” south.
After dinner the whale boat was lowered down, and I proceeded in her for our old station in Pumice Stone River for the purpose of seeing if the bottle which was left near the wooding place in my former voyage had been removed. It had been left for the purpose of informing Mr. Parsons, the remaining man of the unfortunate boat’s crew wrecked here in 1823 (March), that a vessel had been here during his absence, and that his two companions survived, it will be recollected he had quitted his companions and proceeded singly towards the north, labouring under the delusion that he was to the south of Sydney. He had taken a northward direction near 12 months ago, and, considering the nature of the population and the privation he must necessarily suffer for want of food, ect., the chances were that he no longer existed. It was therefore with feelings of the most pleasing description that among the group on the beach on landing the first man was recognised as our long lost countryman, and close by him the venerable old man so often mentioned as the king protector of Pamphlet, and Parsons appeared in very good condition, being a stout, powerful man. At first he expressed himself very imperfectly in his native language from long disuse. He was too much agitated and overcome by his deliverance to give very clear answers to numerous questions put to him. I defer to moments of calmer recollection detailing the narration of his adventures after he quitted his companions on his northern trip. When Parsons was about to get into the boat the old man, his king protector, evinced the strongest marks of attachment towards him; and could not be persuaded he would ever see him again. After we left the beach he followed us for some time alone, and waved many an adieu. There might be perhaps from 30 to 40 natives collected at the wooding place. I recognised many I had see in December last, and the recognition was mutual; they appeared as friendly and harmless as before experienced in truth, their treatment of the shipwrecked seamen affords the best proof that their hearts at least are not very savage. Owing to a strong flood tide, it was nearly 11 o’clock before we returned on board. During the night the weather calm and clear.
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 12th
Light winds from the west and south-west; at 8, weighed with the flood tide, and worked to the southward in a good and wide channel, the deepest water 13 fathoms, and shoaling gradually to the sandbanks bounding the channel. Sent the sailing barge into Pumice Stone River for water. At noon, being calm, anchored in six fathoms, sandy bottom. Sent the whaleboat to sound the channel we were in. At half-past one the boat returned found we were in the best channel; the boat sounded several times across the sand shoal laying between us and Moreton Island; the least water in crossing, 18 feet. Crossed in other places having not less than three fathoms; this, however, was at high water. The sand shoal is very narrow; on the eastern side the water deepens to nine fathoms. At noon, observed the lat. 27° 5’ 15”. At half-past one, the wind springing up from the east, weighed and made sail. The ebb tide making strong against us, we were set to into the bend of the sand shoal to the westward of us; we passed over the tail of this shoal in two fathoms, the breadth of the shoal being about the one-eighth of a mile, the sand laying in the narrow ridges about the length of the vessel in breadth; on these ridges the water was two fathoms, and then deepened to three fathoms to the next ridge. We passed over four or five of these ridges before we got into the proper channel again, when the water deepend to five fathoms. Observing a sand shoal to the south-east of us, anchored and sent the boat to sound it. The boat returned, finding on the shoalest part about six feet, but it soon terminated, leaving us a clear and good four fathoms channel between it and the deep bight formed by Redcliff Point, and the entrance with Pumice Stone River, weighed and made sail for the anchorage off Redcliff Point carrying from four to six fathoms. At give, anchored in a good situation in four and-half fathoms, about half-mile from the land.
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 13th
This day was spent in examining the islands towards the head of the Bay, none of which were found worthy of notice, being merely mangrove swamps, the outer parts overflowed with high water. The centre parts more elevated, barren and without water; the dry portions of none of the islands exceeded 50 or 60 acres. The plans upon these islands were almost entirely tropical, and not hitherto found without that parallel, neither were any of them known to exist in the more southern lat. of New South Wales. I had directed a party to explore the main opposite to the vessel during my absence, more particularly to examine the water I had found in my former voyage. The report was every way favourable, and confirmed the opinion I had previously formed. With the concurrence and approbation of Lieut. Miller, commencing the intended establishment, I fixed upon a site for the settlement close to Redcliff Point, possessing permanent good water close at hand, good soil in its immediate vicinity fir for most agricultural purposes, well adapted for grazing, with a sufficiency of useful timber for present purposes. Mr Miller appeared highly pleased with the situation, and with the favourable prospects of successfully establishing himself and people which the appearance of the country held out to him.
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 14th
Fine, pleasant weather. Walked over the ground of the intended new settlement; fixed upon the most eligible places for the different public buildings, having reference to contiguity to water and the convenience of landing stores and provisions. The land most eligible for cultivation is on the north side of the creek, and to the north of the settlement. The natives visited the place when the stores were landing in considerable numbers, but gave no annoyance.
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 15th
Fine, pleasant weather. Employed in sketching the coast in the vicinity of the settlement, and in preparing the boats for continuation of the survey of the River Brisbane.
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 16th
Fine, pleasant weather. Left the brig, accompanied by Lieut. Butler and Mr. Cunningham, with two boats, to complete the survey of the river. At four arrived at the head of Sea Reach, when we stopped for the night. We had scarce pitched the tent when we were visited by a party of the natives, the seniors of which were very troublesome, endeavouring to steal everything they could lay their fingers on; at dark we were relieved from their company.
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 17th
The same party of natives visited us again this morning as we were embarking. I had put my hat, barometer, and surveying instruments on a rock close to the boat, and surrounded by the people who were getting the baggage into the boat, when two of the natives were discovered making off with the above articles. They were pursued, but, as they gained on us, Mr. Butler fired at the man who had the instruments, which caused him to drop them, being, I suspect, struck by some of the shot. The other fellow got clear off with my hat. We pursued our course up the river, which we did not find fresh so low down as in the former voyage. The botany of the brushes, ect., suffered considerably from thirst, not finding any fresh water. We stopped for the night at Green Hills, where the water, though drinkable, was still brackish. Measured the breadth of the river and found it 350 yards.
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 18th
We had the ebb tide against us the whole of the early part of the day. The botany of the brushes was examined, and many curious plants found, but all tropical. A species of Flindersia was found (a large tree), but it was not ascertained if it was different from the one already described by Brown. At two o’clock we halted at Termination Plains, being the limit of the former voyage. In the course of our progress we shot some black swans and a duck; saw no natives. In the evening we had a slight thunderstorm, with a light, refreshing rain.