82 LAND MR. KENNEDY^S PARTY. 



On May 23rd^ a convenient spot for landing the 

 overland expedition having* been found on the shores 

 of Eocking'ham Bay^ we shifted our berth in the 

 afternoon a few miles further to leeward, and 

 anchored under the westernmost of the Family 

 Islands^ in order to be near the place of disem- 

 barkation. On the two following- days everything- 

 belong-ing" to Mr. Kennedy's party (with the 

 exception of one horse drowned while swimming* it 

 ashore) was safely landed^ and his first camp was 

 formed on some open forest land behind the beach^ 

 at a small fresh water creek. 



The object of Mr. Kennedy's expedition, was to 

 explore the country to the eastward of the dividing- 

 rang-e running* along* the N.E. coast of Australia at 

 a variable distance from the shore^ and terminating- 

 at Cape York^ where a vessel with supplies was 

 to meet the part}' in October, after which they were 

 to start on their return to Sydney ; proceeding- at 

 first down the western side of the peninsula to the 

 Gulf of Carpentaria, and then shape such a course 

 as was best calculated to bring- them to the settled 

 districts of New South Wales. 



Of the disastrous results of this unfortunate 

 expedition, I need not here speak * I shall after- 

 wards have to allude to the melancholy death of its 

 gallant leader, within a day's journey almost of the 

 g*oal which he was strug*g*ling' with desperate 

 energy to reach — the nearest place where assistance 

 could be procured for the few remaining* survivors 



