WRECK OF THE ORONTES. 379 



Bay, he having during his stay in that place, treated 

 them with kindness, to which they were fairly en- 

 titled from men so far their superiors in knowledge 

 and power, and who were moreover intruders upon 

 their soil. Had this noble conduct of Captain Barker 

 been more universally accepted as an example, the 

 results would, we doubt not, have been equally 

 satisfactory elsewhere. 



We also heard with much regret,* of the wreck 

 of the Orontes, which accompanied the expedition 

 from Sydney. She left the settlement, with the 

 intention of proceeding to some port in the East 

 Indies ; and when just clearing the harbour 

 struck on a reef, knocking a hole in her bows. She 

 filled so rapidly that they had barely time to reach 

 the shore under Vashon Head, ere she sank. The 

 reef, which now bears her name, is according to Mr. 

 Tyers's plan, received from Mr. Pascoe, a mile in ex- 

 tent east and west, and half a mile north and south; 

 while the nearest part of it is distant from Vashon 

 Head and Point Smith very nearly five miles. 

 From its extremes the following are the bearings ; 

 from the western, Vashon Head S. 49° W., Point 



* The loss of a ship is always looked upon as a most untoward 

 event, on the occasion of a new settlement being formed, and is 

 ever forcibly imprinted upon the memory of all sliip-masters. This 

 was felt to a most serious extent at Swan River ; and many 

 masters of vessels in speaking of Port Essington, have at once 

 expressed their fear of proceeding thither, deterred by the loss 

 of the Orontes. 



