1792 February

Friday 10th: Untill 10 O'Clock this Morning the Weather was so bad with hard Rain that no Work could be done, but the latter part of the day turned out dry. The Wind North NNE to SW.—

We continued unsuccessfull with our Seine, I therefore directed to have the Sour Krout, and Hot Breakfast of thick Portable Soup Gruel every day to be served to the people as usual, and to have their breakfasts before they were sent on Shore. The necessary duties of the Ship began to be forwarded with all dispatch, and in the afternoon Received on board the first Launch Load of Wood. In the night many Red Cod were taken.

Mr. Whiles & Mr. Smith the Botanists were employed about the Hills, and planted in the fresh Water at the East End of the Beach a Pot of Water Crepes. On a Tree a few yards from it I had cut a Memorandum.

Saturday 11: The Weather to Day was generally Fair, but we had such Strong SW Gale at Night as obliged us to strike Lower Yards and Top Gallant Masts.

At 7 OClock the Wooders & Waterers were sent on Shore, & the Pinnace to Pengwin Island to cut Grass. Received on Board One Launch Load of Wood & two turn of Water. From the SW Winds much Surf run on the Shore, which makes Watering very difficult.

The Assistant having a Small Boat, I had it carried into the Lake to enable me to examine its extent. The principal arm of it is about 20 yards wide in some parts, & has 3, 4, 8, 6 & 13 feet Water in it, from this branches several smaller Arms in which are 2, 4 & 6 feet Water. It winds through a flat circumscribed by the Hills, about ¾ Mile at most from the Beach. It bears nothing but Wire Grass Reeds, & a few Shrubs where it is not too much covered with Water. It was in all parts brackish. I had an Idea the upper parts might have been formed by fresh Water Runs; but I found on the contrary it was only in part so; & from the Sea, which works its way through the Beach, & high & low Water shows itself on the Sea shore in moderate Weather.

It abounds with Bream, of which we caught Seven in a few minutes with Hook & Line beated [baited] with mussels. The largest Fish weiged about a pound. We saw many Wild Ducks, Two which I killed. These Birds are very numerous & breed in the Lake. There are two kinds, & have such a Shield of Feathers that but seldom the Shot could penetrate to Kill them.

I sent the Botanists to day to plant some Young Oaks, Pomegranates, Strawberrys, Quinces and Figs, upon the rising Grounds near the Lake at the East End of the Beach. They Planted 5 Figs, 9 Oaks, 3 Quinces, 1 Rosemary, 20 Strawberrys, and 3 Pomegranates.

Hauled the Seine and caught a few Fish; but we benefit most by our hooks and Lines which give us a Reddish Cod from a half pound to two pound Weight.