Wednesday 6^th. Nov^r. 1811.
The wind being still contrary this morning, M^r. Overand set out in his Boat at 7 o'clock to Survey the Bay and take the Soundings of it, with the Bearings & Distances of its Entrance and Shores. ---We Breakfasted at 9 o'clock, and amused ourselves during the forenoon in reading and examining the Charts & Maps of the Coast of N.S. Wales, and of Van Diemen's Land; and more particularly those of the Settlements of the Derwent and Port Dalrymple on that island. ---Several Natives came off to us in their Canoes, and remained along side for some time, speaking to us in their gibberish, and trying to repeat our names and other English words. ---One of them came on board and got himself shaved. ---M^r. Overand returned on board at 2 p.m. and delivered me a Sketch of his Survey of the Bay very well executed. ---He brought on board several very fine looking Fish, very much resembling Salmon -- or white Salmon Trout, and like which they eat.---

At 4 o'clock we sat down to Dinner. At ^1/2 past 5 p.m. we went to take a walk on shore at the Head of the Bay on the South Shore. ---M^rs. M. and myself went to see two Native Huts close to the Beach, constructed in a very superior manner to any we had seen before in the Colony, being larger and better secured from the effects of the weather. ---We expected to have seen a great number of the Natives here, but were disappointed, not one having appeared during this Excursion. We went a little way into the Forest to view the different sorts of Trees and the Soil. ---There are no great variety of the Former, which principally consist of the white and Blue Gums and Honey-Suckle, but which are generally stunted and grow to no great Size. ---The Soil is very indifferent, being generally Sandy with a very small mixture of Earth. ---Near the spot where we landed from the Boat, we fell in with a very pretty little Stream of good fresh water, which falls into the Bay here, and would afford an equal Supply as the Stream passing, through the Town of Sydney.

The Land along the Bay is low for about a mile backward from the Beach, and then begins to rise into lofty Hills, the whole being thickly covered with wood. ---

After perambulating for about two hours along the Beach, and in the adjoining woods, and rowing along the Shores of this fine Bay, we returned on board the Lady Nelson at ^1/2 past 7 o'clock.

5 November 1811 | 7 November 1811