The Antelope sailed at 8 o'clock this morning on her return to Sydney, and to search all along the intermediate Coast for the Pirate Convicts lately escaped from Sydney. ---

At 11 a.m. I inspected Capt. Wallis's Company, and found them in very clean good order. -- I directed an extra allowance of Rum to be issued to the men as a Donation.

At 1 p.m I went along with Capt. Wallis to look and examin[e] the channel dividing Coal Island (Nobby) from the South Head of Newcastle Harbour, with the view of filling it up entirely by constructing a strong mound or Causway between the Island and the Main for the purpose of deepening the main channel or Entrance into the Harbour. -- We landed on the Island and sounded the channel between it and South Head -- which does not exceed 7 feet in depth at low water and only about a quarter of a mile in Breadth. -- after examining both sides of the channel, it was finally determined to commence forthwith filling it up by constructing [a] strong Causeway of 30 feet Broad from South Head to Coal Island. After deciding on this important work, we went to visit the new Jail, the new Hospital, the new Guard-House, the Battery & Light House, and the several work-shops. -- We did not return Home till after 5 o'clock, soon after which we sat down to Dinner.

3 August 1818 | 5 August 1818