Tuesday 5^th. Nov^r. 1811.
At 7 o'clock this morning we were nearly abreast of Jarvis's Bay, about 80 miles to the Southward of Port Jackson; and the Wind being at this time blowing directly against us -- from the Southward -- we determined to put in to Jarvis's Bay, and there remain at anchor for a change of Wind. ---We accordingly made directly in for the Land, and anchored in Jarvis's Bay at 1 p.m. under the Lee of Bowen Island, in six fathom water, and most excellent safe anchorage -- within a mile or three quarters of a mile of the western shore of Bowen Island. ---This is a noble Capacious Bay, not less than Fifteen miles deep from the Entrance to its Head, and about 12 miles across from the Northern to the Southern Shore of it in the Broadest part. The Entrance to it is perfectly safe and is formed on the North by a very high Rocky Cliff or Head Land (resembling the North Head of Port Jackson) and Bowen Island on the South -- the Channel between being nearly two miles across -- and very deep water close to either Shore. ---Bowen Island is separated from the Southern shore by a very narrow channel or Strait of not more than a quarter of a mile Broad -- with a reef of Rocks all the way across and over which a heavy surf breaks constantly, so as to prevent even small Boats passing through this Channel with any safety. ---Bowen Island is about three quarters of a mile long from North to South, rises to a considerable height towards the Center, is verdant, and covered with Honey-Suckle and other smaller Trees and Shrubs. ---There is also a small Lagoon of very good fresh water on the west side of it very near the Beach; and upon the whole it may be called a very pretty Island. ---But tho' there is tolerable good verdure, the Soil is sandy and bad.

As we were all very Sea Sick during the morning, we did not breakfast until after we had anchored in Jarvis's Bay at a late Hour in the Day. ---Between 3 and 4 o'clock we went on shore on Bowen Island, and walked on it for some time. ---From the Highest part of it we had a fine extensive view of the Sea on one hand and of the Bay on the other -- and of the distant Mountains inland. ---The Pigeon House an immense High Prominent Hill to the Southward, and Hat-Hill to the Northward of Jarvis's Bay, we could see very distinctly. ---After remaining for about an hour on Bowen Island, we crossed to the South shore of the Main Land in Jarvis's Bay, and walked there for another Hour, along the Sea Shore, Picking a few Shells and Pebles [sic] as we went.

Here we saw nothing like runs or Springs of Fresh Water, altho' we conclude there must be some further inland, as a great number of Natives inhabit this part of the Bay -- having seen many of them at a distance in the course of the day. ---The first we saw were three men on Bowen Island as we were passing in through the Entrance into the Bay; they then Holloed to us, and afterwards, when anchored, came off to us in their Canoes with Fish, which they willingly bartered for Biscuit and Tobacco. ---They were very stout well-made good-looking men, and seemed perfectly at their ease and void of fear. ---We remained on shore till sunset and then returned to the Vessel, dining immediately after coming on board. ---M^r. Overand and the Sailors caught a number of young Sharks during the Day, this Bay abounding in them and a great variety of good Fish. ---The Soil on the main land, as far as we walked along shore, is sandy and barren, but the woods are very close and thick a little way from the Beach.

4 November 1811 | 6 November 1811