15 December 1809
15th.. At half past 10 o'clock this morning we have with the mercy of God made the land; having a clear sight of the New Stone. Coll.. M. immediately order'd the Band to play God save the King! [W]hen it struck up he felt himself particularly affected. ---[W]e have made the land in the most favorable manner possible, our reckoning by time keeper & observation being perfectly correct. [W]e sounded & found a coral bottom at 80 Fathoms, right up & down, being 15 miles from the New Stone, which bore north of us. ---It blows a fine moderate gale at S. W. which if it continues to blow as fresh and as fair as it does at present, we shall probably see Port Jackson in three days. ----
The New Stone call'd so from its resemblance to a Rock of the same name on the Coast of Cornwall is a fine striking object, being high and running to a Peak; it resembles in Shape the Bass in the Firth of Forth. We saw some low Islands a little to the westward of it. [O]ne of these Islands is named Pedro Blanco, the other the Eddystone; this last had the appearance of a white Flag display'd from the highest Part of them, we supposed that the excessive whiteness of these Rocks is occasion'd by the Sea Fowl, the only inhabitants they are capable of maintaining. We saw a very fine surfe [sic] dashing up the Rocks to a great height, tho' we were at the distance of 15 miles from them [W]hen we were leaving the Eddystone it had the appearance of a Ship under full sail ---[A]t 2 o'clock this day the Commodore hove to, & made the Signal for a Man overboard; we lay to, but did not go to him; he had his boats out for two hours but to no effect, the Man was unfortunately drown'd -- he was one of the best Seamen Captain Pascoe had; it was his birth day, the other sailors had treated him to a share of their Grog on the occasion he went to his station on the yard arm to look out in a state of intoxication, & fell asleep; another man was half way up to releive [sic] him when he fell. ---This disturbing accident detain'd us three hours during which time the favorable wind lasted but shortly after deserted us. ----
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