160 NEW SOUTH WALES. 



For the two following days we had head winds, and a heavy cross 

 sea. 



On the 26th November, w T e made Ball's Pyramid, which appears to 

 be a barren rock rising abruptly from the sea. 



On the 24th, 25th, 26th, and 27th, we experienced a current setting 

 at the rate of twenty-four miles a day to the northeast. On the 28th 

 it set east-northeast at the rate of twenty-five miles per day. From 

 the latter date the current began to set strongly to the southwest, 

 showing that we had entered the stream which sets in that direction 

 along the coast of New South Wales. 



At sunset on the 29th November, we made the light-house on the 

 headland of Port Jackson. We had a fair wind for entering the 

 harbour, and although the night was dark, and we had no pilot, yet 

 as it was important to avoid any loss of time, I determined to run in. 

 I adopted this resolution, because, although we were all unacquainted 

 with the channel, I was assured that the charts in our possession 

 might be depended upon, and I stood on under a press of sail, accom- 

 panied by the Peacock. At 8 p. m. we found ourselves at the entrance 

 of the harbour. Here a light erected on a shoal called the Sow and 

 Pigs, since the publication of the charts, caused a momentary hesita- 

 tion, but it was not long before it was determined where it was placed, 

 and with this new aid, I decided to run up and anchor off the Cove. 

 In this I succeeded, and the Peacock, directed by signal, followed the 

 Vincennes. At half-past 10 p. m. we quietly dropped anchor off the 

 Cove, in the midst of the shipping, without any one having the least 

 idea of our arrival. 



When the good people of Sydney looked abroad in the morning, 

 they were much astonished to see two men-of-war lying among theii 

 shipping, which had entered their harbour in spite of the difficulties 

 of the channel, without being reported, and unknown to the pilots. 

 Their streets were speedily alive with our officers and men, who were 

 delighted at finding themselves once more in a civilized country, and 

 one where their own language w 7 as spoken. 



The Porpoise and Flying-Fish arrived the next day. 



The morning of the 30th was beautiful, and the scene that broke 

 upon us was totally unlike any we had hitherto witnessed during our 

 voyage. In particular, the strong resemblance of all that we saw to 

 our own homes, and the identity of language, gave us indescribable 

 feelings of pleasure. 



Our consul, J. W. Williams, Esq., came early on board to welcome 

 us. He communicated the information that the Relief had arrived 

 safely, and landed all our stores, which were ready for us and close 



