29th October.
At 2 a.m. weighed with the flood, and towed the schooner up the river
about four miles; at 6.30 a light northerly breeze enabled us to stem the
ebb tide, and at 9.40 the schooner was moored at the camp, in two
fathoms, close to the bank. Having obtained a supply of water, I
despatched Mr. Baines, with Phibbs, Shewell, and Dawson, in the gig to
bring up the sheep, the long-boat also going down the river with a crew
from the vessel to bring up the kedge anchor and warp from Alligator
Island, and also to assist in bringing up the sheep. In the evening there
was a fine breeze from the east, and the thermometer fell to 65 degrees
during the night. A few days before our arrival one of the kangaroo dogs
had been seized by an alligator, and instantly drowned. The horses had
been brought to the camp by the ford at Steep Head, and were looking
well.
30th October.
Commenced the erection of a shed to protect the stores, as it is
necessary to land the cargo of the schooner to effect repairs. The
keelson is broken seven feet before the mainmast, three of the deck beams
are broken in the centre, and the knees are strained, and the bolts
drawn; there is also reason to think that the floor timbers are
fractured, and some of the timbers broken in her bends.
31st October.
Messrs. Wilson, Baines, and Mueller, with the party in charge of the
sheep, arrived at 7 a.m., bringing the remainder of the sheep, twenty-six
in number, eleven having been drowned from want of proper care in bailing
the boat, which consequently sunk during the night. Such of the party as
are not otherwise engaged are employed in the erection of the store shed.
Being desirous to examine the river above Steep Head, commenced fitting
the portable boat, but found that the heat of the climate had destroyed
the seams of three of the air cells, and the boat is therefore
unserviceable. The general character of the materials of which inflated
boats are constructed precludes any effectual repairs, as the intense
heat of the sun decomposes the varnish with which the canvas is covered;
it first becomes soft and adhesive, and then changes to a substance like
tar, which does not consolidate with a lower temperature. Adjusted the
aneroid barometer.
1st November.
S. Macdonald was reported for being asleep on his watch during last
night; reprimanded him for this neglect of duty. Several of the sheep
escaped from the fold last night; some have been found, but eight are
missing. Commenced thatching the store; landed maize, bran, and other
stores from the schooner. Though the thermometer stood at 100 degrees in
the shade, yet a westerly breeze renders it cool enough to work. Mr.
Baines employed repairing the portable boat; Richards clearing a plot of
ground near the spring for a garden.