Saturday 10. Novr. !
At Day-Break I awoke from a violent shock, which I thought at first was only one of the Boats striking against the side of the Brig ---; but on this shock being repeated I jumped out of Bed and went up on Deck. ---I then found the Brig dragging her anchor -- which was occasioned by the immense Strong Tide then rushing in through the narrow channel we lay in. ---All Hands were immediately called, and not a moment was lost in sending out Warps to remove the Brig from her present very dangerous Position. ---To add to our Perils, we found, on examination, the Vessel would not steer -- the Rudder being rendered useless from the Pintels being broken on the occasion of the Brig striking so violently during last Night and this morning. ---To remedy this misfortune every possible exertion was made by all the officers and men on board to save the Vessel and convey her, by warping and other means, to her original anchorage at the Natural Wharf. ---The exertions and judgment of Lieut. Robert Johnston on this critical and trying occasion, were most conspicuous, and did him a great deal of credit. ---Indeed I know not what we should have done without him; for Mr. Nicholson had undergone so much fatigue yesterday in particular, & for some days before, in getting the Lady Nelson hauled up out of Danger, that he was last Night taken very ill, and was incapable of any exertion this morning.
By 10 o'clock, we fortunately at length succeeded in getting the Elizabeth Henrietta to her old anchorage at the Natural Wharf; and during her Progress thither, we had also succeeded in unshipping the Rudder, bringing it on Deck, and setting all our Carpenters and Smiths at work to repair it and make new Pintels &c. &c. all which we expect to complete, and also to be able to Ship and Hang our Rudder again before Sunset this same day, so as to be able to sail tomorrow in case the Wind should then favour us. A Party of Soldiers which were fortunately sent on board yesterday, to assist in warping out the Brig, were found very serviceable in the laborious exertions of this morning. I took a walk on shore before Dinner to look again at the old Lady Nelson -- which I found now Hauled up, in excellent safe situation, on the Beach ready to undergo the necessary previous Repairs to enable her to go to Sydney -- which are to be commenced upon immediately -- and which are expected to be completed in about Two months hence! ---
I also saw and inspected a very fine Raft of 22 Logs of Cedar & 1 large one of Rose-wood, brought down by McManus the overseer of the wood cutters yesterday, down the River Hastings from the First Falls. The Cedar is large and of excellent quality. ---The Rose-wood Log is fifteen feet long, and 2 1/2 feet in Diameter. ---I have ordered two of the largest Logs that can be found of Rose-wood and Cedar to be cut down and sent me up to Sydney for carrying Home with me as specimens of the wood of Port Macquarie.
Capt. Allman & Dr. Fenton dined on board with me today also, and took their leave after Tea.---
The Rudder was completely repaired and finished by Sunset, and was immediately Hung and shipped; it being now greatly improved by being much reduced in weight. ---We therefore hope to be able to get [out] with tomorrow's High water Tide.
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