TERRA AUSTRALIS. 
3 09 
Wreck Reef.] 
private tent ; and our manner of living and working had assumed 
the same regularity as before the shipwreck. One of the men whose 
liberty governor King had granted at my request, being guilty of 
disorderly conduct, the articles of war were publicly read, and the 
man punished at the flag staff. This example served to correct any 
evil disposition, if such existed ; the men worked cordially together, 
and in all respects we preserved the same discipline and order as on 
board His Majesty’s ships. 
Our prospects of receiving succour from the Bridgewater hav- 
ing become very feeble, after two days of moderate weather had 
elapsed, I called a council of all the officers, to deliberate upon the 
best means of relieving ourselves from the precarious situation in 
which our misfortune, and captain Palmer’s want of energy and 
humanity had left us exposed ; and it was finally determined, that 
an officer and crew in the largest of the two six-oared cutters, should 
endeavour to get to Sandy Cape, sixty-three leagues distant, and 
from thence along the coast to Port Jackson ; and pray His Excel- 
lency, the governor, to send vessels to carry us either back to that 
port or on towards England. But as the safe arrival of the cutter at 
that season of the year, when strong winds usually prevail from the 
southward, was a subject of much apprehension; it was resolved 
that two decked boats, capable of transporting every person remain- 
ing on the bank, except one officer and boat’s crew, should be imme- 
diately laid down by the carpenters, to be built from what was already 
and might be still further saved from the wreck ; and that, if the 
officer in the cutter did not return with assistance in two months, the 
boats should then, or as soon after as they could be ready to sail. 
the Cato which had given way in the moment of danger that he might be saved. But 
the officers and crews of the Porpoise and Cato reached England in safety; whilst captain 
Palmer and the Bridgewater, who left Bombay for Europe, have not been heard of, now 
for many years. How dreadful must have been his reflexions at the time his ship was 
going down ! Lieutenant Tucker of the navy, who was first officer of the Bridgewater, 
and several others as well as Mr. Williams, had happily quilted the ship in India. 
r 
1803. 
August. 
Monday 22. 
