ARRIVAL AT AUSTRALIA
For eleven days, from February 29 to March 10, the vessel lay to
most of the time under lower topsails and staysails, in a heavy and
prolonged gale from the S.S.E., dead ahead. It rained, and the days
were anxious and dreary to the captain. When an observation was finally
taken it was found that in this period the vessel had made only 60
miles progress south and 120 miles east. Such a storm from the east is
very unusual in this latitude.
But at last strong, fair winds from the west and southwest set in and
the Catalpa sailed like a racehorse. On March 15 the island of St. Paul
in lat. 38° 25´ S. and long. 78° 28´ E. was raised. Whalemen always
like to stop at St. Paul for the fishing. Captain Anthony had been
there a number of times, and with a crude apparatus had often taken
a boatload of crawfish in a few hours. A large iron hoop is used,
interwoven with spun yarn, and baited. Other varieties of fish can be
caught with hook, line, and pork bait.
Sail was shortened and lines were prepared for fishing. Small boats
were lowered and, upon rowing in near the shore, the kelp, which
abounded, was hauled over the bow of the boat and served as an anchor.
The Catalpa ran around under the lee of the island, which by the way
has a peak 820 feet in height, when a westerly gale came on, commencing
with heavy squalls.
The sea was ugly and the fishing expedition was abandoned. With all
sail set, the Catalpa made fine progress that day. Great seas struck
her stern and followed over the leading boards, but the vessel was
already due at Australia and Captain Anthony determined to crowd her
henceforth.
After leaving St. Paul the crew was satisfied that the bark was going
to New Zealand, and of course they were not enlightened. Fair wind in
plenty favored the vessel and she was driven hard, some days making
200 miles, until on March 27 the high land of Cape Naturaliste on the
Australian coast was sighted. The crew was now certain that this was
New Zealand, and Mr. Farnham, the second mate, said he recognized the
promontory.
The chains were soon bent on the anchors, and at night the vessel was
anchored in the shoal water of Geographe Bay. At five o'clock the next
morning the Catalpa was once more under way, and at ten o'clock reached
anchorage off Bunbury harbor, at the head of the bay.
So after nearly a year at sea, a year of worry and hard work, the
rendezvous was reached. It brought little exaltation to Captain
Anthony, for he knew that the crisis was at hand which would be the
supreme test of his courage.
During these closing days he had said but little to his only confidant,
Mr. Smith, but his mind had been busy with disconcerting thoughts. Whom
would he meet? Might not the conspirators have failed in carrying out
the land end of the plot? Possibly the plan had been discovered and the
authorities were awaiting his arrival on shore to take him in custody
and seize the vessel. The long delay had been a long torture for a man
of Captain Anthony's activity, and he welcomed the developments which
awaited him on shore.