Friday 9. Novr. 1821!!!
Another attempt was made this morning by the two Vessels to get out. ---They weighed and began to warp out, it being then almost calm, but there was much appearance of a Westerly Breeze springing up every moment. ---We were again however disappointed in this expectation, and to our great regret a strong Sea Breeze set in from the Eastward, which obliged the Vessels to return to their former anchorage.
The Elizabeth Henrietta was warped out however some few Hours afterwards, on the Tide of Ebb making strong, through the narrowest and most dangerous part of the Channel, and anchored about one Hundred Yards beyond the innermost Large Rock, between which & the North Shore the Tide runs the strongest. This was done with [the intention?] of being ready to cross the Bar with the first spurt of Wind from the Westward, or North West. ---Having sent all my Servants and Baggage on board in the forenoon, I determined on Dining and Sleeping on board tonight. ---I accordingly took leave of Mrs. Allman, and embarked at 1/2 past 4 p.m.; being accompanied on board, and to Dinner by Capt. Allman, Lieut. Wilson, and asst. Surgeon Fenton; Lieut. Wilson having received my permission to proceed to Sydney to bring down his Sister, forms now one of my Party on board the Elizabeth Henrietta.
Between 8 and 9 o'clock, Capt. Allman & Dr. Fenton left us. ---At 9, being then high water, a very nice Breeze at North West, & a fine moon-light Night, the Pilot assured us he could get the Brig safely over the Bar; a Boat, with a Light, being placed on the Sunken, or Beacon Rock, immediately at the entrance over the Bar. We accordingly got under weigh and made easy sail; there being 3 Boats also towing us out. ---We got on very well for the first 200 yards. ---The Brig then struck the ground lightly, and continued striking less or more for about 100 yards further -- sometimes rather violently; -- and just as we had got to the Tail of the Bar, and within a Pistol shot of the Boat with the Light on the Sunken Rock, the Wind unfortunately headed us, and rendered our proceeding further impracticable, although in five minutes more we should have been over the Bar, and clear of all danger. ---We were of course constrained to put back and get to a safe anchorage as soon as possible, which we accomplished about Ten o'clock; having however struck slightly two or three times in getting to our Birth [sic] for the Night, which was not a very pleasant one, being surrounded on all sides by Rocks, Shoals, and Breakers; but the Pilot and Master considered it a sufficiently safe one. ---Concluding all was safe, I went to Bed at 11 o'clock, and slept very sound during the rest of the Night.
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