Port Jackson .] TERRA AUSTRALIS. 
Cumberland ; it was the quickness of her motion and the want of 
convenience, which would prevent the charts and journal of my 
voyage from being prepared on the passage, and render the whole 
so much time lost to this important object. On the other hand, the 
advantage of again passing through, and collecting more information 
of Torres’ Strait, and of arriving in England three or four months 
sooner to commence the outfit of another ship, were important con- 
siderations ; and joined to some ambition of being the first to under- 
take so long a voyage in such a small vessel, and a desire to put an 
early stop to the account which captain Palmer would probably give 
of our total loss, they proved sufficient inducements to accept the 
governor’s offer, on finding his vessel had the character of being a 
strong, good little sea boat. 
The Cumberland was at that time absent up the river Hawkes- 
bury, and the Francis, the other schooner, was lying on shore and could 
not be got off before the following spring tides ; on these accounts, 
and from the Rolla not being quite fitted, it was thirteen days after 
my arrival in the boat before the whole could be ready to sail. This 
delay caused me much uneasiness, under the apprehension that we 
might not arrive before our friends at the reef, despairing of assist- 
ance, should have made some unsuccessful attempt to save themselves ; 
and this idea pursued me so much, that every day seemed to be a 
week until I got out of the harbour with the three vessels. 
Governor King’s answer to my communication respecting the 
shipwreck of the Porpoise and Cato, and the orders under, which I 
acted in embarking in the Cumberland, are contained in the follow- 
ing letter. 
Sydney, New South Wales, Sept. 17, 180.?. 
SIR, 
In acknowledging the receipt of yours with its inclosure of the 9th 
instant, whilst I lament the misfortune that has befallen the Porpoise and 
Cato, I am thankful that no more lives have been lost than the three you men- 
tion. I have every reason to be assured that no precaution was omitted by 
323 
1803 . 
September. 
