time fixed upon the spot where they intended
to establish their settlement, and it
being several miles up the river, we got under
weigh to proceed thither. The captain’s agreement
being to that effect, we proceeded
with the first fair wind, about twenty miles
up the stream, which was as far as we could
with safety take the vessel. The shores on
each side this noble river are composed of
hills gradually rising behind each other, most
of them covered with woods to the water’s
edge. Not a vestige of a habitation is to be
seen, and if it had not been for the occasional
sight of a canoe, we might have imagined the
country to be totally uninhabited. Opposite
a small island, or rather sand-bank, the vessel
grounded, and had to remain there till the
next tide floated her off. It was a curious
and interesting spot, being a native par and
depot, and was entirely covered with storehouses
for provisions and ammunition. The
centre was so contrived that all assailants
might be cut off before they could effect a
landing; and we were all much gratified by
the judgment and forethought displayed in
this little military work. The next morning
we got off, but could not proceed far as the
shoals were becoming so numerous as to render
the navigation dangerous. But here we
beheld, with both surprise and satisfaction, a
most unexpected sight; namely, a snug little
colony of our own countrymen, comfortably
settled and usefully employed in this savage
and unexplored country. Some enterprising
merchants of Port Jackson have established
here a dockyard and a number of sawpits.
Several vessels have been laden with timber
and spars; one vessel has been built, launched,
and sent to sea from this spot; and another
of a hundred and fifty tons burthen, was then
upon the stocks!
On landing at this establishment at E. O.
Racky, or, as the Englishmen have called it,
“ Deptford,” I was greatly delighted with
the appearance of order, bustle, and industry
it presented. Here were storehouses, dwelling
houses, and various offices for the mechanics
; and every department seemed as
well filled as it could have been in a civilised
country. To me the most interesting cir