Distractions, but colony born

Press, 26 January 1988, Page 13

Distractions, but colony born

Dr Charles Worgan, surgeon on the flagship H.M.S. Sirius, wrote of a “laughable circumstance” on January 22. “A pot was boiling in which there was some fish for the workmen’s dinners; one of the natives (who never had seen or felt hot water before) very deliberately put his hand in to take a fish out, when, feeling a very smart sensation, he gave an amazing jump, squalling out most hideously... His companions, seeing us laugh,'joined us very heartily,. while the poor fellow was skipping about and blowing his fingers.” In another incident, Lieutenant King gave two Aboriginals a glass of wine, “which they had no sooner tasted than they spit it out.” Most of the Englishmen seem to have found these distractions amusing. They were not, however, helping Captain Phillip choose a site. Although Botany Bay was extensive, there was no shelter from easterly winds, and ships of moderate draught would always have to moor in exposed waters. Parts of the land were swampy, and the supply of fresh water was poor. He decided to go north to look at Port Jackson, which had been named by Captain Cook, but not explored. As Captain Phillip’s three boats slipped out of the bay, Aboriginals on the shore Routed “warra

warra,” which “was not interpreted as an invitation to land or expression of welcome.” Captain Phillip arrived at Port Jackson to find “one of the finest harbours in the world.” The sailor in him immediately recognised its value for a navy; he reported it was possible for “a thousand ships of line to be protected by its extensive bays.” The party explored the harbour, calling at various bays on the south side. Several miles from the entrance, they found what they were looking for. It was a cove, protected from the weather, with deep water close to the shore. Flowing into the cove was a good stream of fresh, clear water. This was the spot for the settlement. It had everything a good captain could want for his ship. In honour of Britain’s Home Secretary, Lord Sydney, the site was distinguished by the name Sydney Cove. . The Englishmen decided; to camp the night at the cove. While preparing dinner, a group of Aboriginals became a nuisance, so Captain Phillip drew a circle around the campsite and, using sign language, ordered the Aboriginals to stay on their own side of the line. “They sat down with perfect quietness.” Captain Phillip had found what he was looking for, but two events were to add unexpected drama in the final days before colonisation. _

As the fleet prepared to sail from Botany Bay to Sydney Cove, two large ships appeared outside the heads, prompting anxious speculation that the Dutch had arrived to oppose the English landing.

Closer inspection revealed the visitors to be Frenchmen on a voyage of discovery. The Englishmen had heard rumours that France wanted to start a colony in New Zealand, and now feared that the French commander, Jean Francois la Perouse, might try to beat them to Australia. Strong winds prevented the French ships entering Botany Bay, but Captain Phillip was taking no chances. He ordered his men to fly the Union Jack on a point where they had been preparing ground to land. Then, in his eagerness to get to Sydney Cove, Captain Phillip almost made a tragic error by insisting the fleet sail the following morning.

Fresh south-easterly gales kept the English ships tied up in the bay until after midday, but the impatient captain could wait no longer. The order was given to weigh anchor. To some, it must have seemed as if, on signal, the Aboriginals roused" the anger of the heavens in opposition to the pale, cleanshaven interlopers.

“A great storm descended ... great rolls of thunder crashed about and lightning streaked across the sky.”

Chaos reigned. Sails were ripped when two convict transports collided, one carrying away the other’s jib boom. A third transport was swept perilously close to rocks, before careering into another ship, smashing the carved work on her stern.

Many on board the English ships agreed it was a miracle that the entire fleet managed to clear the heads and sail north, leaving the bewildered Frenchmen anchored safely in the bay. On January 26, 1788, His Majesty’s Ship Sirius led the fleet into Sydney Cove. Captain Phillip chose a site for the canvas town he had brought from England, and ordered his men to raise a flag pole. v

Wine and glasses were taken ashore, and the marines, in their scarlet tunics, were drawn up in order.

The flag of Great Britain was run up the mast to wave in the breeze. Captain Phillip declared the land to be the possession of King George 111, and proposed a toast to His Majesty. Toasts to the Queen, the Prince of Wales and to the success of the colony were also made.

Shots rang out as a fue de joie was fired by the Marines, and Arthur Phillip, now Governor of New South Wales, led with three cheers, which were returned by sailors crowding the deck of the Supply. The colony — and Australia Day — was born.