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910903

Title
Series 04: John Septimus Roe letters, first major surveys of the Australian coast: the three voyages of the Mermaid 6 August 1818 – 26 February 1821
Call number
SAFE/MLMSS 7964/vol. 4 (Safe 1/467)
Level of description
series
Date

1818-1821
Type of material
Textual Records
Reference code
910903
Issue Copy
Digitised
Scope and Content
A series of 11 letters, mostly to his father, excellent condition, the bulk written while in Port Jackson, one dated Parramatta and another at anchor in Timor.

ITEM 147: 6 August 1818. To Father, written on board the Mermaid at Port Jackson, after returning from their first voyage. Discusses the various correspondence, and it would appear that two interim letters have gone missing (perhaps never arrived?). Had a very bad passage from Timor (“a very unpleasant one”). Has been wet, and everyone has had dysentery. They have had to use the medicines they acquired in Port Jackson, but even so have had to bury their “best seaman” at sea. Phillip Parker King was “dangerously ill”, in part through “excessive fatigue and anxiety.” They shan’t sail for the north coast of New Holland until the new year but may do something towards Van Diemens Land. They will be in Port Jackson for several months, and he is looking forward to recuperating. One of their boats was washed away off Cape Leeuwin. It was so hot in the north that “we were more like blackfellows than Europeans”. Notes the coming Summer, the seasons being different for “us Australians.” Hopes to get more curiosities for brother William’s collection. Has been disappointed in the small number of shells he has collected. Will have to buy a new suit locally and expects to pay 14 or 15 pounds; can’t get Regimental buttons for their weight in gold. Has once again talked with King about using his mother’s address for incoming mail. Therefore asks his father a total of 13 dozen uniform buttons, as well as some white twisted cord. Complains in a postscript that he is completely broke and unable to forward the items he had promised to send.

ITEM 148: 7 December 1818. To Father, on board the Mermaid in Port Jackson. Thirteen convict vessels have arrived since they first sailed from Port Jackson, and he has had no news from brother William. Is disappointed, especially compared to the great number of letters that King receives. About to sail for the SW coast of Van Diemens Land “where 2 harbours have lately been found” and should be gone about six weeks. King plans to leave on another long voyage at the end of February. Most of the old crew has been discharged and “we have nearly a fresh crew altogether, of mostly very fine men.” Barron Field and his wife sail with them to the Derwent River, and the Mermaid will pick them up again once the survey is complete. “I have just returned from Mr King’s residence at Parramatta (16 miles from this town) where we have been busily employed getting charts of our late survey and discoveries ready for sending home to the Admiralty.” King drew them out on a large scale, but the finished charts are by Roe. Comments on his time with the Kings, who have one “fine fellow” of 13 months and “the keel of another is already laid.” Perfect example of “matrimonial happiness.” All rode out together to visit King’s farm on South Creek towards the Blue Mountains. About 40 acres in cultivation and the rest for about 800 head of cattle and as many sheep. Has also visited Mr and Mrs Hannibal Macarthur at Vineyard Cottage, on an annual income of about 1000 pounds and with four small children. “I have also dined 3 times at the Governor’s Table since our arrival here. I find him a very gentlemanly man – his Lady and myself are likewise on very good terms.” Has been working very hard on his logs etc., although his eyes continue to cause him pain. “I now find it difficult to distinguish objects plainly without the aid of a glass.” The eye water supplied by Mrs King was nearly all lost at sea. Has had a very narrow escape from drowning. Went on a shooting expedition with some officers and their men, and capsized about three-quarters of a mile from shore. Luckily on overturning the boat had lost all of its ballast, or it would have gone straight to the bottom. Describes the loss of the fine hunting rifle that had been given to King’s father when he was Governor by Baudin: “I used every exertion to recover it, but without effect. I shall be obliged in honour to make good the loss.” Asks whether his mother would like some local seeds to try and grow in her hothouse.

ITEM 149: 16 February 1819. To Father, at Port Jackson, back from Van Diemens Land. The ship carrying his first letter has not yet sailed. Sorry that his father is no longer able to write as he used to, and thanks William for taking over. Many convict vessels have arrived, and Mrs King has many opportunities to forward letters. Barron Field and his entourage did sail with them, and they cleared the Heads on Christmas Day. The wind blew against them and their passengers were very sick, being scarcely out of their cots for eight hours of the whole trip of eight days. Hobart quite small, but Roe is impressed by the “deep rich soil” of the adjoining land. Made an overnight excursion to the top of Mount Wellington with Bedwell, “the Botanist” (as Roe curiously always refers to Cunningham), and some officers of the 48th Regiment. Cold, wet, and they even managed to set fire to their tents. Very difficult and arduous descent, “and got completely entangled in the main deep valley.” Sailed for the “bleak west coast” and did a difficult survey of Port Macquarie Harbour. Difficult and shoaly conditions. “We ran on the shoals [in the cutter] no less than 7 times.” Not time to survey Port Davey. Rain has played havoc with the crops, and dysentery is rife in Hobart. In a postscript asks that his father keep an eye out for any reports in the press, and notes that the papers prepared by him and King have been sent by the Shipley so will soon arrive.

ITEM 150: 22 March 1819. To Father, from Port Jackson. “We are nearly ready for sea, and expect to sail in the little Mermaid on a voyage of eight or nine months duration in less than a fortnight from this date.” Will begin their work at Cape Arnhem and thence westward, including the northwest coast to the south of Cape Van Diemen. “I hope to be able during this voyage to name something after Sir Richard Keats, which cannot but be extremely gratifying to him: I will at the same time shew that I am not unmindful of his good offices. William will say that I have en eye to windward at the same time. And he is probably not far out of his reckoning.” Has not heard from India. Bad weather with flood and losses to the settlers, particularly on the Hawkesbury. Long account of the flood, and comments on the greater frequency of such events. Has just spent two days with King at Parramatta and two days with Hannibal Macarthur at Vineyard Cottage. He, Bedwell and the Botanist (that is, Cunningham) are collecting insects, and Roe has about 300 species carefully preserved in boxes scented with camphire. Hopes that William will look after the specimens that he has sent home “for our Museum.” No brown paper, which has made collecting plants almost impossible (as he has learnt from studying the Botanist). Reminds his father of the buttons he has requested and sketches them again. They refuse to pay the asking price in the colony of 12 shillings per dozen. The local officers have subscribed about £100 for the proposed cenotaph for Princess Charlotte.

ITEM 151: 19 April 1819. To Father, from Port Jackson. To sail on the following morning. The Mermaid is the only vessel in Sydney harbour, two ships bound for India having sailed a few days earlier. Last letter received was dated April or May: a letter from England is a “perfect treat.” Is looking forward to getting out of Sydney, “being quite tired of a place torn to pieces by dissension.” Dines often with the Mess of the 48th Regiment, and has dined with Macquarie. Macquarie and his wife and five year-old son (“a spoilt child”) had recently come aboard, saluted with 17 guns. They stayed on board nearly an hour, and Mrs Macquarie is procuring them a still for the purpose of distilling salt water into fresh, inspired by their tales of “the almost total deficiency of it on the barren coast we are exploring.” Macquarie expecting his recall daily, and Roe has been invited to visit them on the Isle of Mull in Scotland. “Lieut. King appears now to be well aware that our labours will not terminate with the expiration of this voyage.” “I could not be occupied in a more interesting voyage or one more suited to my inclination.” First voyage sailed with 19 hands, but now 22 “in case of sickness.” “Bongaree, the native chief of the Broken Bay Tribe, does not now go with us, having been found of comparatively little use.” Most of the crew are new hands. Interested in the addition of a young ex-convict who was lately an assistant to the hospital at Parramatta. Convicted of taking money from a letter that he had in his possession, he had had an education from his father Cook, a surgeon in London. The young man does not mess with them, but is rather favoured by King , “which has unfortunately given rise to a little dissatisfaction among the rest.” Robberies and murders becoming commonplace in Sydney. Mentions hangings on market days, and the “desperate banditti called here ‘Bushrangers’.” Have recently taken 13 horses from near Parramatta and muskets from the Barracks. A small vessel that was used as a packet to Van Diemens Land was recently stolen by 14 or 15 convicts in the night, and they are not yet apprehended. Have heard tales that some are planning to overthrow the Mermaid, “but we are perfectly ready for the rascals.” Roe quite disappointed that no attempt seems likely. Roe and Bedwell spend most of their time on board, as King resides at Parramatta. “I am sorry to inform my mother that my eyes do not improve.”

ITEM 152: 5 November 1819. To Father, Coupang Bay, Timor. Have arrived, 25 weeks out of Port Jackson, “hard at work exploring what had hitherto escaped the observation of former navigators.” Will need to return to Port Jackson and then will have to come back to the NW coast for a third time. Sailed from Port Jackson on Roe’s birthday with Oxley the Surveyor-General of the Colony “and one of the colonial brigs called the Lady Nelson” for “newly discovered harbour” at Port Macquarie. Remained there a week to survey the harbour, and “I was one of a Party”, together with King and Oxley, “who were about 3 days from the vessel, examining the head of the River Hastings.” They travelled in their large whale boat, some 18 miles of the “most beautiful pictureseque fresh water river which gradually diminished at every rapid we passed.” Region finely wooded. “The Natives we found very friendly though timid” and when their party of eight landed among more than thirty of them, “it was not without their betraying evident signs of fear and uneasiness. Some of this number we had before seen near the vessels on our first arrival in the Port, and many had even ventured on board to be shaved, have their hair cut, &c &c with which they were greatly diverted and amused.” Traded hooks and iron chisels. The aborigines still seemed pleased to see them leave. Oxley and King gave very favourable report on the region. “I think it very likely to be the spot upon which a new settlement will be established.” Sent Lady Macquarie a box of insects he had collected there. Has invited Lady Macquarie to visit the Rectory at Newbury: “we parted, I can assure you, almost like Mother & Son.” Oxley and the Lady Nelson returned to Sydney; they pressed to the north: “these reefs not having been explored by any Navigator since their superficial examination by the original discoverer Captn. Cook, Lieut. King determined to keep as close in shore as possible, in order to make a proper survey of the coast, and to examine any openings which that celebrated navigator might have passed over unnoticed.” They ended up making so many additions and corrections that King decided to make entirely new charts of his own. The shoals only visible “by the dreadful line of breakers that rolled with tremendous fury upon them during a fresh breeze.” Their boat was washed away from astern, and they had to sail into Endeavour River to make another. Comments that Cook was lucky, for no comparable river for 200 miles. “We occupied the precise spot on which Captain Cook had pitched his tents, and immediately commenced setting up a boat which we had fortunately brought with us in pieces.” Took a fortnight. Stayed close, because Cook had found the natives “very troublesome.” Presents of biscuit, beads, iron tools, fish hooks. Bedwell obtained a spear made of the local light wood. He and Bedwell had amused themselves making a small vocabulary, rewarding those that gave them the most information. Visited by a large group of 25 men and some younger boys. The aborigines particularly keen to go on board, but the crew were so dispersed that they refused. Aborigines also very interested in the carpenter and his tools. Roe on his way with his portfolio and pencil to sketch the harbour, when there was a skirmish. Two seamen soon returned after chasing their assailants, and assure Roe that they had offered no provocation (although “To be forced to do any thing by a naked savage was what our men would very ill brook”); the sailors claimed to have been returning from doing their washing when two spears were thrown among them. Bedwell, Roe and men (seven in total) go after them, in the same direction that the Botanist had gone several hours earlier. “Fortunately for the Savages we did not see any of them during this excursion or they might have paid dearly for their treachery.” Their spears are “formidable weapons” thrown with “great dexterity” and barbed with hardened wood. Roe and King made a survey, and Roe was offered command of the whale boat to explore the head of the river “with a promise to insert the plan in his chart as my own: this was a chance not to be neglected.” Was gone with Cunningham for two days. As they leave, the aborigines set fire to the woods which are quickly engulfed in flames. A dangerous gale came up, and they were relieved to be able to anchor in a river; but successive castings of the lead gave 20, and then 11, and then only six fathoms. Struck a sunken shoal and beat against it with violence. “Our situation was indeed critical.” Surrounded by dangerous rocks, they manage to get off into deeper water and anchor overnight. In the morning, they escape to safety, and discover four small islands that King allows Roe to name: he chooses Cole’s Islands in “honor of Sir C.C.” Nearly wrecked a second time, they nevertheless safely reach Torres Strait in good spirits. They luckily escape hitting two submerged rocks, but lose another anchor on bad ground, leaving them with only one anchor, and they fear that they may have to abort their expedition. “Our examination of an unknown coast is attended by its pleasures as well as hours of trial.” King has been “frequently unwell” and left Roe to do much of the surveying: on one occasion he got the opportunity to name “Port Keats” after his supporter, and also named a conspicuous rise “Mount Goodwin” (that is, Vice-Admiral Sir Richard Goodwin Keats). Bedwell sick with dysentery and confined to bed for seven weeks. They reached Timor on reduced allowance of only two pints of water each per day. Hopes to be back in Port Jackson in seven or eight weeks, and is sanguine about his chances for promotion to Lieutenant. Final postscript notes that he is now reliant on his new glasses and that his eyes continue to cause him trouble.

ITEM 153: 21 January 1820. To Father, Port Jackson. Has got his first letters from home since May 1818 (19 months previous). Comments on being able to name locations after Cole and Keats, and hopes to be able to do the same for Hall and Brooks. Is very evidently grateful that all of his family continues in good health. On their third (and Roe hopes last) voyage to the NW have heard that the Lords of the Admiralty are impressed with their earlier reports, “and were pleased to think that he [King] had done so much with such small means.” Had read one of King’s letters printed in Blackstone’s Edinburgh Magazine. King says it is only a small part of the fuller letter that he sent, and Roe surmises that it is because “the French had a similar expedition under weigh at the same epoch, and experience has taught us, under exactly the same circumstances. How much is to be lost by being too communicative before the whole proceedings of the voyage are published by authority.” The Admiralty has sent a new selection of much needed instruments. Are hoping for more important stores including anchors, cables and the like by the storeship Dromedary, those available locally “not being trustworthy.” Discusses his hopes for promotion. Bedwell was terribly ill with dysentery, “which made the duty fall trebly heavy upon my shoulders.” Have been nine weeks sailing from Timor. Lost another boat off Port Leeuwin, in almost the same place as they lost a boat in 1818: “we were not at all sorry” for the boat was “almost entirely useless, and was built by the apprentice boys in the Marine Yard here to prevent the expense of about 5 & 20 shillings to be paid to a regular boatbuilder for putting up one to which we could trust our lives with any degree of safety. We were anxiously expecting and wishing for the accident, and it being my watch upon deck when the sea struck us, it was with great pleasure that I assisted in cutting away the remainder of the trash.” The Mermaid is very wet and leaky. Have lost one man during the voyage, from “Hydrothorax.” Fears the effect of an English winter. Thanks them for the eye medicine. Complains of his treatment by his former Master on the Horatio, Mister Taylor. “We are on the most friendly footing at Government House” having dined there once and invited again, and have also dined with the Judge Advocate, with Barron Field, and several times at the Mess of the 48th Regiment. They dine tomorrow with the Lieutenant-Governor Erskine. King’s wife has had a second child. Has had very pleasant tea with Lady Macquarie, who asked particularly after Roe’s family. Sorry for the story that the Mermaid was lost on the Cumberland Rocks, spread about by the Master of a Merchantman that resided in Sydney for some time until the Governor compelled him to leave. Roe also sorry that the Freycinet expedition had departed only a few days before they arrived. Freycinet very well treated, although some of the convicts had stolen some of the “Captain’s plate”, most of which was recovered. Macquarie offered to make good the loss, but Freycinet refused. King was very gratified to have been given one of only two silver Freycinet medals left at Port Jackson, and Roe roughly sketches the medal. King given the medal in courteous memory of the kind services given to Freycinet by King’s parents when he was on the Baudin voyage. They have also just missed meeting Commissioner Bigge, who has sailed for Newcastle. Roe is actually writing from the Queen Charlotte: “having been under the necessity of sinking our own vessel to destroy the innumerable rats, cockroaches, centipedes, earwigs, ants, scorpions, tarantulas, mice and other vermin (no bugs, thank God) which infected her and destroyed our provisions.” Sophy has sent the buttons he requested, which are “truly acceptable.” Has just received the letter in which his father mentions the visit of King’s sisters to Newbury. Is delighted to hear that they are all having portraits done. Has hopes of improving his poor horsemanship, and tells the tale of being thrown while out riding with Mrs King near Parramatta. Bedwell has gone on an excursion to the Blue Mountains. Pleased to report that the Dromedary has brought them 2000 yards of canvas, which cannot be found in Sydney. Still no news on the fate of the charts that they sent to the Admiralty on the Shipley. Discusses the north pole voyages of Ross and Parry: “we often wished it was possible to exchange a few bottles of our famous hot winds with the northern voyagers, for one of the Polar Ice Islands.” Roe has gone out to Parramatta to work on the charts at King’s house, making a second set of charts relating to their first voyage, this time for Secretary of State for the Colonies Earl bathurst. Hamilton, the assistant surgeon who sailed with them on the Dick, and who married the Quartermaster’s daughter he had so openly admired on that voyage, has died after a fall from his newly built house; his wife, who is four months pregnant, is also terribly ill. Roe was also the pallbearer for an officer of the 102nd Regiment, Col. Burton, who died in an accident. Again mentions the birth of John King, and that he has been asked by Mrs King to “stand sponsor for one of his Godfathers in England.” King’s mother has moved to no. 7 Lyon Terrace, on the Edgeware Road.

ITEM 154: 10 February 1820. Copy of a letter to Mrs Taylor (not in Roe hand), Port Jackson. Roe evidently stayed with the Taylors in Plymouth. Information similar to that in letter no. 152, including comment on their enforced stay at Endeavour River; “We pitched a tent… upon precisely the same spot that the tents of that celebrated navigator had occupied 49 years before.” More detailed account of the skirmish, says that the aborigines made signs that they were leaving to eat, but only partially retired, and that the sailors “were not so ignorant of the character of the Australians as to trust them in this.” Found Cunningham safe, and inspected two deserted encampments. They did re-establish a “friendly footing”, although both sides were more wary than ever. Difficult voyage through the Great Barrier Reef. New details of their visit of the wreck of the Frederick, which they investigated and near which they stayed for two days out of concern for its crew. Found out their fate once they reached Timor (Captain and four or five seamen safe; another 21 still missing). “We were not able to hold much communication with the Natives” on the NW coast. Description of the scurvy on board, and good description of their urgent sailing along the Timor coast. Arrival of the Dromedary in Port Jackson. King has received letter from Admiralty. Report of the loss of the Mermaid on Cumberland Rocks; mentions that his father had not received the false report, but that King’s family had been in mourning for several days before the report was contradicted. Very abusive of the workmanship of any item purchased in Port Jackson: mentions a broken anchor in particular, and blames the whole on the convict labour force.

ITEM 155: 6 May 1820. To Father, Port Jackson. About to leave on third voyage. They are waiting on the completion of two boats that are being built for them. Sail with 21 hands including for the first time a Surgeon, the naval officer Hunter. Mentions that they had earlier narrowly escaped being forced to sail with a “mad doctor”, “a Mr Morgan of the Navy.” Seized by “hereditary” madness, he is in the hands “of the Principal Surgeon here.” The Governor has given King a special allowance of “Donkin’s Preserved Meats” from the Medical Stores: granted 300 tins, and he lists the various types. Also 50 bottles of “vegetable and gravy soups preserved by the same people.” Mentions the presence of two Russian ships in Port Jackson, the “Blagounemei” and the “Othritie” (that is, the Arctic expedition of Vasil’ev and Shishmarev), having sailed via Cape of Good Hope, Van Diemens Land, and “Bhering’s Straits.” “Some of them spoke tolerable good English”, and were well treated. “I had the pleasure of dining frequently in their company.” Good description of their, to Roe, unusual manners in dining, noting how they drink wine. “I was sorry to find them not very communicative upon the subject of their voyage”, although he supposes it to be in search of the Northwest Passage. Roe believes a passage likely. The two vessels left and were quickly succeeded by two more Russian vessels that had lately sailed as far south as 69-and-a-half degrees south. Two vessels are “Vorstock” and “Mornoy” (that is, the Antarctic expedition of Bellingshausen and Lazarev) . Mentions that the Russians saw prodigious icebergs in the south. Crewed with naturalists and scientific men. The latter vessel was damaged, and had to be hauled on shore in Port Jackson for repairs. They have discovered only one island. The officers came on board the Mermaid “to see our instruments.” All of the Russian instruments were made in England. Roe and Bedwell were given some silver and copper coins “which will all do for the Museum.” Back on the Mermaid having killed about three bushels of rats and mice, and thousands of bugs. Mentions a letter from brother William, who was evidently captivated by the visit of King’s sister Elizabeth King (“brilliant accomplishments and enchanting voice”); “I trust he will not be vain when I (at this great distance) give it as my opinion that there has been a reciprocal sneaking regard on both sides.” Roe has been allowed to hear certain passages from letters from Elizabeth to Mrs Hannibal King. Mentions again the visit of the Macquaries on board the Mermaid, with a few new details. Cautions his family not to publish too many of his detailed comments on the coast (“full of rubbish as they are”) as he is wary of the Admiralty, and in particular of their recent acquaintance “Mr Darch of the Admiralty.” Particularly cautions them not to mention any of the “squalls” between Roe and Bedwell. Discussion of correspondence received and hoped for. His eyes about the same. The Macquaries have asked of Roe’s family; Mrs Macquarie “and I are great cronies!” Mrs King also desires to be remembered to the Roe family. King does not wish to undertake a fourth voyage “for in fact he will be almost incapable of undergoing so much fatigue, and now feels very much the effects of the two voyages he has already made: am myself not in such perfect health as when I first arrived in the Colony.”

ITEM 156: 8 July 1820. To William, Port Jackson. “We have been most confoundedly knocked about at sea in a very heavy gale of wind that obliged us to return here again to repair damages.” Lost bowsprit, most of their iron work, a boat, and sprung a leak. Drove ahead of the storm through the night. Rigged jury bowsprit. Lost the jolly boat, which had been built in Sydney under the supervision of King and their own carpenter. Return to Sydney also much threatened by the storms. Iron work replaced, although Roe fears that the work will be done “in their usual defective and shameful manner.” Great suffering among their livestock: 23 of 40 ducks died, two turkeys and a pig as well, and they killed about 11 turkeys “to save their lives.” Lists the prices of livestock in Sydney. Mrs Macquarie made them a present of two sows with young and a large tin of cakes and teases William about “the Treasure”, that is, Elizabeth King. Roe admits that his own heart is in danger, “by the inexpressible somethings of a peerless fair one lately arrived from dear old England.” He thinks he has met the girl to whom he would “like to be spliced”, but knows that he cannot yet be married. Mentions that Surgeon Hunter and Botanist Cunningham have been engaged in an hour-and-a-half long argument about the difference between a Builder and an Architect. Sophy has sent him brown paper and silk cord, for which he is grateful. Has been at some expense buying clothes. Regrets that his family have sent very fine brown paper, so he has to put several sheets together to serve his plants. The crew of the wrecked whaler Echo have just arrived at Port Jackson, some 17 hands, after coming to grief on Cato’s Bank about 700 miles NE. Another boat with 15 hands still missing; apprehensive that they may have “fallen into the hands of the Savages.” They plan to look along the coast when they sail north. Has been staying with the Kings in Parramatta. Has extracted a promise from King’s wife that if she has seven sons, then Roe will be godfather to the last and he will be called Septimus. Discusses “Admiral Benbow”, the Newfoundland dog that Roe has been presented by King. The dog has been causing some mischief, including getting involved at an altercation at their sailmaker’s, and biting a disreputable looking chap. The dog will sail with them, and will learn the skill “of being able to live upon nothing.” Hunter and Cunningham still arguing although it is gone midnight and the candle has nearly expired.

ITEM 157: 29 January 1821. To Father, Parramatta. Great sorrow at the news of the death of young brother George, although Roe evidently didn’t know him very well. They sailed again after repairing the Mermaid, 22 hands. Took a different track, and encountered many difficulties, culminating in them grounding off Port Bowen, which had been previously entered by Flinders: they struck new shoals that had been washed up by the sea. They had sprung a large leak, obliging them to call again at Endeavour River. Concerned about their altercation the previous year, they are initially greeted by eight or ten aborigines that they did not recognise. Gave them some presents. From Port Jackson to Torres Strait “we had the satisfaction of fixing the positions of 40 or 50 reefs and shoals that had no previous existence in any former charts.” Took turtles and eggs from Booby Island. Arrived at their destination in September. Vessel now very leaky, required almost constant pumping, and in bad weather “leaked about 7 or 8 inches an hour.” Went ashore at “a very pretty little bay” with dramatic tides, allowing them to beach the cutter. Main keel “rent completely through” and everything loose. Iron fastenings badly corroded by the copper. Repairs made, but unsuccessfully. Mermaid so badly damaged that they were forced to abandon their voyage and return immediately to Port Jackson, arriving mid-December. A heavy gale was blowing as they came off Botany Bay, and they set a course for the lighthouse. Hears an old sailor cry “it’s of no use, there’s no room to wear” and he dresses and rushes on deck to see that they are within a quarter mile of a row of perpendicular cliffs. Roe and King agree to try and tack, but the seas continue relentless. Got the cutter’s head around to southward when they were a mere 100 yards from “tremendous breakers”, when a lightning flash showed that they were drifting towards very high breakers “upon a projecting reef.” They are now unable to intervene, but simply have to drift and hope. They strike the edge of the reef, but still stand on, and get into comparative safety. King momentarily reduced to tears of relief. They see land ahead that the cutter is settling towards, so press on sail and beat off shore, when a gap reveals that they are at the heads of Botany Bay and they make for the half-mile wide entrance in a nasty squall. By four in the morning they are riding at anchor in comparative safety, where they stayed for six days. They send news of their arrival overland to Port Jackson. He is now safe in Parramatta “as one of the family” and working again on charts. Roe proudly mentions that the chart of Prince Frederic’s harbour is published under his name. Roe has gone some 26 miles inland following the river, and stayed overnight in tents. Greatly impressed, he returns to the cutter, where King insists that Roe name the river. Roe demurred, but King insisted, and it is now “Roe’s River, after my revered father the Rector of Newbury.” News of their arrival had been published in the Sydney Gazette. They also received notice of the safe arrival of the charts. Demurs regarding his chances of promotion. The Mermaid hauled up in Sydney, and leaks prodigiously, the iron bolts being badly corroded. Report submitted to the Governor, so King arranged to purchase the Haldane for £3000, after reporting at length on the Mermaid’s problems and incapacity. Haldane renamed the Bathurst. 200 tons burden (compared to the cutter at 85), and will allow them to carry a large supply of livestock. About thirty hands necessary. Surgeon Montgomery has lately arrived and been appointed. Montgomery about 34, a good fellow, but complains of hot climate and bad liver. Roe hopes he will be better than Hunter, “who quarrelled with us all.” Roe did not speak to him for the latter part of the voyage until they were on the verge of wrecking off Botany Bay, when they “shook hands together like men going to be hanged.” Roe and Bedwell still get along about as well as ever. A midshipman called Baskerville has also been appointed. Roe has been at the King’s for about three weeks, and now like a brother to the Kings and Hannibal Macarthur. Suggests that the Roes visit Hurd at the Admiralty to see the charts. Hope to return to England in the Bathurst, not least because the passage might otherwise cost as much as £100. Has seen a sketch of the Newbury Rectory by Mary King, and a likeness of Elizabeth King, as well as portraits of Mary King and her mother. Eyes continue poorly. Has heard that his onetime patron Sir Richard Keats has been married. Forgot to mention that he named a hill in the vicinity of Roe’s River “Mount Brooks after my dear mother’s maiden name.” Has stood sponsor as godfather to Hannibal Macarthur’s son Charles. Macquaries “have lately been considerably perplexed (and I may add annoyed)” in their dealings with Bigge, although Roe thinks him a gentleman. Postscript on his clothes and hopes that the cloth he asked for is being sent. Has hopes of having his own cabin with a scuttle on the Bathurst.

ITEM 158: 26 February 1821. To William, Sydney. Comments on the loss of the “youngest branch of our family” – evidently George. Sent his letters on the Dromedary, on which also sailed Bigge, after a lavish send-off. Roe had enjoyed the state dinner held the day before Bigge left. Has spent a month with the Kings. Has just returned from two weeks visiting the Cow Pastures with two cousins of Hannibal Macarthur, sons of John (“whose sheep have been brought into such particular notice in England”). Had planned to tour the newly discovered regions, but because of wet weather stayed rather closer to Camden, where they were lodged. Copy of the part of his on-board journal in which he described Roe’s River (and dated 13/14 September 1820). Had seen a small group of aborigines with their dogs. Describes the fauna including the Diamond Snake and some small kangaroos. Also an “alligator” seen quite close by. They find a large snake near their camp and are obliged to burn the ground to be safe. Description of the nearby land he could see, as well as of the local geology. Sleep with fires burning to discourage alligators. Tried to hunt some of the alligators, without success. Has given the lengthy abstract in part because of his awareness that he will have to surrender his log to the Admiralty, and fears that he may not see it again. The Governor has appointed the Mermaid to settle Port Macquarie. The convict carpenters working on the Bathurst are so dilatory that they will be another fortnight, and then they will have to purchase their own paint and oil to make the ship ready. They have had difficulty in getting supplies from the Public Works, a problem which Roe accords to the fact that the superintendant is a Major in the Army; they “take no notice of him in Public or Private.” Bedwell and Roe thinking about asking for a grant of land from Macquarie rather than his successor. Roe discusses the likelihood of such a grant, particularly in terms of the halt that has been made in the practice for officers in the government service; Roe calls it a “chance of making prize money in time of peace.” Comments on the family in England. Comments on the rapid influx of settlers, particularly from Scotland. His old ship the Dick is expected with convicts. Applied to have a chest of drawers built (which Roe sketches) and was told it would cost him 12 guineas. Purchased paper at 11 dollars for 19 quires (known as a “Botany Bay ream”). Mentions the Surgeon and how he fears his health will not survive the NW coast. Is sending some insects, and gives instructions on their care. The box is made from Huon Pine. Describes some of the more impressive insects, and notes that the vast majority were collected in Australia. Indulges in sea bathing every morning, although he is very wary of sharks. Spends his days completing his log. Roe complains that it is boring that he is so often compelled to show his charts among polite company, and having to endure vacuous compliments or ill-conceived criticism. Spends much of his days taking exercise and working on sketches, much of his evenings reading and writing. Comments that two of his fellow officers are Irishmen, and fond of robust debate. Roe enjoys “making a noise on the flute.” Rutherford has just taken up the flute in order to drown out the noise of an argument between their landlord and landlady. Bedwell is unwell, and Baskerville has gone on a three week excursion with Hannibal Macarthur, leaving Roe with the task of fitting the vessel. Complains of those who hinder the outfitting, and cautions his family to silence about his complaints. The Dick has just arrived with 140 convicts, and they have dined with Captain Harrison.
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Description source

Hordern House : John Septimus Roe, Calendar of documents, 2009
General note

Digital order no:Album ID : 981202
Name
Mermaid (Ship)
King, Phillip Parker, 1791-1856
Macquarie, Lachlan, 1761-1824
Macquarie, Elizabeth Henrietta, 1778-1835
Macarthur, Hannibal, 1788-1861
Bedwell, Frederick, 1796-1853
Baskerville, Perceval
Bathurst (ship)
Bigge, John Thomas, 1780-1843
Subject
Aboriginal Australians--Queensland--Endeavour River
King, Harriet, 1796-1874
Oxley, John, 1783-1828.
Place
Tasmania
Hastings River (N.S.W.)
Endeavour River (Qld.)
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IE292952