'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from January 1847 to May 1849. Edited by the Secretary. Volume VIII.' [‎215] (324/496)

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we lost any of the men, we should have experienced not only great diffi
culty in supplying their places, but should have had to pay heavy bounties
to induce others to enter.
On the 7th June, bidding adieu to Hobart Town and its hospitable in
habitants, weighed anchor, and worked down that magnificent estuary
the Derwent, with a strong breeze from the westward. At sunset the
same evening the brig was clear out of Storm Bay, Cape Pillar bearing
north, distant ten miles : darkness coming on, soon hid the rugged snow
capped mountains of Tasmania from sight.
On our passage to Sydney experienced very stormy weather, with high
breaking seas, scudding for several days before a heavy westerly gale,
under a close-reefed main-top-sail and reefed fore-course. On the 11th
the gale increased almost to a hurricane : hove to under a balanced-reefed
boom main-sail, and whilst in this position, a tremendous sea struck the
vessel on the starboard broadside, which swept away the whole of our
hammock nettings, burst in the ports, and nearly carried away both our
quarter boats : at the same time such an immense volume of water poured
down the after hatchway (the only one not battened down,) that we all
thought the brig must have foundered; however, she speedily recovered
herself, and afterwards rode out the gale in beautiful style. On the 12th
the storm moderated, which enabled us to bear away and make sail, and
at sunset that evening, Sydney lighthouse was just discernible, bearing
N. 22 ° W., extremes of five islands from N. 37° W. to N. 8 ® W., and a
hill resembling a barn S. 48° W., off shore about ten miles. Reduced sail
and hove to for the night: moderate breeze, with dark cloudy weather, a
heavy confused sea, vessel labouring greatly. At daylight the lighthouse
in sight, bearing N. 82° W., off shore about six miles. At ten A. M., when
nearly inside the heads, a pilot boarded and took charge of the vessel,
and soon after entered the noble magnificent harbour of Port Jackson.
The wind became light and baffling, which obliged us to anchor; and at
two, a breeze springing up, weighed and stood for the anchorage off Farm
Cove, which we reached at half past four. It being Sunday, and a lovely
day, a large concourse of well-dressed people had assembled on the Go
vernment domain and Garden Island to watch us come in ; the novel
attire of our lascars A term used by the British officials to describe non-European sailors employed on East India Company ships. and sepoys Term used in English to refer to an Indian infantryman. Carries some derogatory connotations as sometimes used as a means of othering and emphasising race, colour, origins, or rank. having, no doubt, attracted their attention,
and excited their curiosity.
Whilst at Sydney we had delightful cold bracing weather, with
alternate showers and sunshine, similar to the month of April in England,
*