remarks, as occurred on a voyage, which being now
perfectly known, could afford in the recital little diversity,
and could furnish in the publication neither information nor
amusement.

Of the Sirius, which was never more to return to _the
Thames_, he tells the following anecdote: "She was built in
-the river_ for an east country ship; and in loading her,
she took fire and was burnt down to her wales. The government
wanting a roomy vessel to carry stores abroad, in 1781, purchased
her bottom, which was rebuilt with such stuff as, during the war,
could be found. She went two voyages as the Berwick store-ship;
and without any repairs she was reported, when the present
expedition was thought of, as fit for the voyage to New Holland,
when she was named _The Sirius_." Experience, however,
evinced, that she was altogether adequate to the service for
which she was destined; and carried her crew safe through one of
the most tremendous gales, on a lee shore, that the oldest seaman
remembered.

Lieutenant King describes the Cape of Good Hope, of which so
many accounts have been given. Here was it determined, that with
Governor Phillip and other officers, he was to change his ship
from the Sirius to the Supply, an armed tender of one hundred and
seventy tons: but this measure was not executed till the fleet
had sailed 352 miles from the Cape of Good Hope, when they yet
had 5582 miles of an ocean to traverse, before they could expect
to see the south cape of New Holland, the object of their hopes.
Soon after they had parted from their associates in the voyage,
they were alarmed in the night with the cry of _rocks under the
lee bow:_ but having put the helm a-lee, they soon perceived,
that the Supply had passed over two enormous whales, which gave
her a shock that was felt by all. Without any other accident,
though they had heavy gales and a boisterous sea, they anchored
at Botany-Bay on the 19th of January, 1788, after a voyage of
thirty-seven weeks and a day, since their departure from
England.

On the fifth day after their arrival, two strange ships were
seen standing into the bay, which proved to be the La Boussole
and L'Astrolabe under the command of Monsieur De la Peyrouse, and
which have been long wishfully looked for by all the good and
wise of Europe.

Chapter XI

A VOYAGE TO NORFOLK ISLAND

February 1788 to April 1788

Lieutenant King visits Monsieur De la Peyrouse at Botany-Bay.--Polite
reception there.--