Four Pounds Of Flour, Two Pounds And A Half Of Salt
Pork, And One Pound And A Half Of Rice, Per Week.
On the 5th of April news was brought, that the flag on the South-head
was hoisted.
Less emotion was created by the news than might be expected.
Every one coldly said to his neighbour, "the 'Sirius' and 'Supply' are returned
from Norfolk Island." To satisfy myself that the flag was really flying,
I went to the observatory, and looked for it through the large astronomical
telescope, when I plainly saw it. But I was immediately convinced that
it was not to announce the arrival of ships from England; for I could see
nobody near the flagstaff except one solitary being, who kept strolling around,
unmoved by what he saw. I well knew how different an effect the sight
of strange ships would produce.
April, 1790. The governor, however, determined to go down the harbour,
and I begged permission to accompany him. Having turned a point about
half way down, we were surprised to see a boat, which was known to belong to
the 'Supply', rowing towards us. On nearer approach, I saw captain Ball
make an extraordinary motion with his hand, which too plainly indicated
that something disastrous had happened; and I could not help turning
to the governor, near whom I sat, and saying, "Sir, prepare yourself
for bad news." A few minutes changed doubt into certainty; and to our
unspeakable consternation we learned, that the 'Sirius' had been wrecked
on Norfolk Island, on the 19th of February.
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