Bligh Notebook
P. 68 - 31 May 1789 Remarks 1
Rems
Having eat our Dinners & every thing ready for
our departure I read prayers & returned thanks
for our safety. – Just as I had done about 20
Natives came down on the opposite which I
find is the Main. They were Black and Armed
with spears. I therefore left the Place lest some
cannoes & others might come & surprise us being
unarmed. — They waved & made signs & hallowings
I steered for the Isld. seen NbW & from thence
at dark abt. 8 O'Clock I was abreast of Fair Cape
Before sun down no land could be seen with
out it I therefore concluded the coast inclined
to the NW & WNW & steered accordingly, but
I found I was mistaken & was obliged to keep
hauling to the North as I met with low
land & found I was embaying myself.
At day light I found the appearance
of the country all changed being all low, some
nothing but white sand Hills & the rest
not a very fertile appearance: however there
were in many places Trees & small Wood.
Several Islds. now lay to the North & East
and I took a channel between the nearest
& the Main abt. 1 Mile across leaving the
Islds. on the starbd side – some of these were
very pretty spots & well situated for
Fishin Many of which we sailed through
but could catch none. – Seven natives
By Permission of the National Library of Australia