Considerable difficulty was experienced in obtaining water, and whilst the crew were procuring it, Cook made a survey of the harbour.  He describes the country as lightly timbered, with a sandy soil growing a plentiful crop of coarse grass, of which a quantity was cut for the sheep.  The soil was interspersed with rocks and swamps, but at the head of the bay appeared richer.  A few natives were seen, who ran away when observed, and though one or two spears were thrown no damage was done to any one.  Large heaps of oyster, mussel, and cockle shells were found, amongst them, says Cook, “being some of the largest oyster shells I ever saw.”  An account, said to have been obtained from the blacks, published in a work on Australian discovery (anonymous, Sydney), agrees as far as it goes with those of Cook and Banks, and it is almost unnecessary to say the ship was at first taken for a large bird.

Sutherland’s death.

Whilst here, a seaman named Forbes (Forby, in the Muster Roll) Sutherland, died of consumption, from which he had suffered throughout the voyage, was buried on shore, and the point named Point Sutherland in his memory.  The anonymous pamphlet referred to above, says that Cook does not give the cause of Sutherland’s death, and that he had been fatally wounded by the blacks whilst trying to secure a metal plate he had found affixed to a tree, recording that the Dutch had previously been on the spot.  The pamphlet goes on to say that Cook suppressed these facts in order to have the credit of being the first discoverer, but that the plate had been secured by some one and deposited in the British Museum.  Unfortunately, Cook does give the cause of Sutherland’s death, and the plate is not in the British Museum, nor has it ever been heard of there.  Before leaving, an inscription was cut on a tree near the watering place, giving the ship’s name and date; the English colours were displayed on shore every day during their stay, but they could not establish any friendly intercourse with the blacks.  A plate has since been attached to the rocks about fifteen feet above high water, and as near as possible to the supposed place of landing.

After leaving Botany Bay the coast was followed up to the north, and Cook noted an “entrance” which he thought might prove a safe anchorage, to which he gave the name of Port Jackson, after Mr. George Jackson, one of the Secretaries to the Admiralty.  Within this entrance is now the city of Sydney, and it was to this place that Captain Phillip removed his headquarters when he had discovered the unsuitability of Botany Bay for settlement.  Broken Bay, named from the number of small islands therein, was passed, and the voyage was rendered very slow by the light northerly winds, and passing Cape Hawke, he found the set of the current had placed him twelve miles in advance, when reckoned by the log, of his real position given by observation.