NEW SOUTH WALES. 41 



Henry Lidgbird Ball. The Sirius with this ship 

 completed their equipment, and droped down 

 from Deptford to Long Reach, on the 10th of 

 December, and there took in powder, guns, and 

 other stores. Some transports here joined them, 

 and on the 30th of January, 1787, on the ar- 

 rival of orders, they sailed for Spithead, but 

 owing to foul weather did not reach it till the 

 latter end of February. On the 5th of March 

 the orders for embarkation arrived, and then to 

 join the other ships at Mother-bank, after tak- 

 ing the convicts and troops on board. On the 

 7th of March, Capt. Phillip came to command 

 his fleet, at the Mother- bank, wishing to lose 

 yno time as the wind now served. The signal 

 $Qr sailing was made on Thursday the 10th; 

 sohie of the men wishing to be paid up to the 

 time of their sailing, demurred to proceed, so 

 that Captain Phillip ordered such as refused to 

 be put on board the Hyaena frigate, and to have 

 in exchange the same number of her crew, and 

 as she was to accompany the fleet to a given 

 distance, they might be re-exchanged. This 

 obstacle being removed, and the crews of the 

 SiHus and Supply having received the usual 

 two months advance of wages, the men of war 

 and some transports got under sail to drop clown 

 to St. Helen's and proceed to sea, but were un- 

 able to pass through the needles till the next 

 morning. 



