LOPE DE VEGA. 



421 



rescued the crew of the "Santa Barbara" in the year 

 1600. 



First, the "Santa Barbara's" crew were masters of the 

 Gladstone blacks, otherwise no extensive clearing of the 

 timber could have been made. 



Secondly, the amount of rock cutting near Sydney shows 

 that three years might be occupied here in prospecting 

 and exploration, even if Moreton Bay and Hervey Bay 

 were not inspected. 



Thirdly, an exploring ship going north with bold land to 

 the west and ample water under her keel would not be as 

 far east as Mast Head Island, she would hug the land and 

 could not miss the castaways. 



There is still another view of the itinerary. It is, that 

 the "Santa Barbara" made the land off Port Macquarie 

 and joined the "Santa Isabel" at Sydney. Both ships 

 then sailed north in company till the "Santa Barbara" was 

 wrecked. The relics at Port Gladstone being the work of 

 both ships' companies, both crews continuing the voyage 

 in the "Santa Isabel." In support of this: — 



1. A direct course by the "Santa Barbara" from where 

 Lope de Vega was last seen to Port Gladstone involves the 

 safe passage of many coral dangers at the southern end of 

 the Great Barrier Reef. 



2. There are two ships' hulls cut in the rock at Meriverie. 



3. There are or were "ships in full sail on tables of rock 

 near the entrance of Curl Curl overlooking the ocean at 

 Manly Beach." This is reported from Maryborough but 

 not verified yet. 



Dunk Island, near Oardwell, is reported as having in a 

 cave, coloured rock drawings of live things. These may 

 show the life-like touch of the artist who wrought in Sydney 

 sandstone. 



