[* The want of my journal has prevented me from stating any particulars of this passage very correctly; but I have lately obtained a sight of Mr. Inman’s observations, and it appears from them that his time keeper (Kendal’s No. 45) erred 31’ to the east on Oct. 1, and that on the 2nd a.m. our corrected longitude was 153 deg. 52’.  We ran westward till that evening, and must therefore have gone to about 153 deg. 25’, or 1 deg. 54’ west of Wreck-Reef Bank; and as no dangers were seen, this shows how completely the Reef is separated from the great Barrier of the coast; a point which it is of some importance to have ascertained.]

[EAST COAST. WRECK REEF.]

It was six weeks on this day that I had quitted the reef in the boat, for the purpose of seeking the means to relieve my officers and people.  The bank was first seen from the Rolla’s mast head, and soon afterward two boats were perceived under sail; and advancing nearer, we saw one boat make for the Rolla and the other returning to the bank.  The Porpoise had not yet gone to pieces; but was still lying on her beam ends, high up on the reef, a frail, but impressive monument of our misfortune.

In the afternoon I anchored under the lee of the bank, in 18 fathoms coral sand, and a salute of eleven guns from it was immediately fired, the carronades of the Porpoise having been transported from the wreck.  On landing, I was greeted with three hearty cheers, and the utmost joy by my officers and people; and the pleasure of rejoining my companions so amply provided with the means of relieving their distress, made this one of the happiest moments of my life.

The two boats we had seen, were the Porpoise’s remaining cutter and a new boat constructed during my absence; it was just completed, and lieutenant Fowler had this morning gone out to try its sailing against the cutter.  My safe arrival at Port Jackson became a subject of much doubt after the first month; and they had begun to reconcile their minds to making the best use of the means they possessed to reach some frequented port.  The Rolla’s top-gallant sail was first seen in the horizon by a man in the new boat, and was taken for a bird; but regarding it more steadfastly, he started up and exclaimed, d—­n my bl—­d what’s that!  It was soon recognised to be a sail, and caused a general acclamation of joy, for they doubted not it was a ship coming to their succour.  Lieutenant Flinders, then commanding officer on the bank, was in his tent calculating some lunar distances, when one of the young gentlemen ran to him, calling, “Sir, Sir!  A ship and two schooners in sight!” After a little consideration, Mr. Flinders said he supposed it was his brother come back, and asked if the vessels were near?  He was answered, not yet; upon which he desired to be informed when they should reach the anchorage, and very calmly resumed his calculations:  such are the varied effects produced by the same circumstance upon different minds.  When the desired report was made, he ordered the salute to be fired, and took part in the general satisfaction.