INTRODUCTORY 13 



stood out to sea, bound for the vaguely outlined coast of New 

 Holland. 



After a fortnight of buffeting about, the head winds preventing 

 the fleet making any easting, Captain Phillip formed the resolution 

 of proceeding forward in the Supply, brig, which was a smart sailer, 

 taking some of the transports, in order that he might select the 

 most suitable place for landing and set the convicts to work in 

 preparing shelter for the remainder of the contingent. For this 

 purpose he relinquished the command of the Sirius to Captain 

 Hunter, and after making all necessary arrangements transferred 

 himself on the 25th of November to the Supply. Accompanied by 

 the Alexander, Scarborough and Friendship, he crowded on all sail, 

 and within twenty-four hours was out of sight of the heavy sailers 

 that formed the balance of the convoy. Whatever advantages, 

 however, may have been possessed in point of speed by the detached 

 vessels were neutralised either by taking a less judicious course or 

 meeting with more adverse weather, for notwithstanding the good 

 start the Supply only entered Botany Bay two days and her 

 transports one day in advance of the Sirius and her convoy. 



Left to himself Captain Hunter adjusted the order of sailing of 

 his diminished convoy, and for seven monotonous weeks lumbered 

 heavily along over 



Old ocean's grey and melancholy waste, 



reaching his farthest southing, 44 deg. 4 min., on New Year's Day, 

 1788. The most successful day's run of the whole voyage was 

 made on the 29th of December, when, amidst general congratula- 

 tions, the log board showed 182 miles covered in the preceding 

 twenty-four hours. 



The New Year was ushered in by a violent northerly gale, 

 which, however, expended its fury without any material damage to 

 the ships, and was followed by a week of fine weather. The proxi- 

 mity to the land was indicated by patches of floating sea- weed and 

 the increasing visitation of birds. At length, on Monday, the 7th of 

 January, at five minutes past two in the afternoon, the anxiously 

 expected signal-gun boomed from the Sirius, proclaiming the near 

 termination of the wearisome voyage. Vaguely looming up on the 



