Flinders Journal – 31 October

Sunday 31 October, 1802 Passed York Isles; Anchored in Prince of Wales' Islands; Wednesday Island; Hammond's Island "We had a high land bearing ... which I supposed might be the easternmost of the York Isles ... At two o'clock, when we passed on the north side of the double isle, it was seen to be surrounded with a coral reef, and there were rocks on its west and south sides. We then hauled up S.W. by S. for some rocky islets lying, as I supposed, off Cape York; but finding no shelter there, bore away round the north end of an island, of which Mr. Westall took a view, and anchored in 7 fathoms, gravel and shells, one mile and a half from the land." (P.117) "On consulting the sketch made by captain Bligh in the Bounty's launch ... it appeared that the first land was not the easternmost isle, but one much nearer to Cape York; and that our anchorage was under the southern group of the Prince of Wales' Islands. ... The north-eastern isle of this group, under which we more imediately lay, is that named Wednesday Island by captain Bligh, to the other isles he gave no name; but the one westward of the ship seems to have been the Hammond's island of captain Edwards, when passing here with the Pandora's boats." (P.118)

Last updated 20 September 2002. For more information email admin@rgsq.org.au   Return to home