Page:History of Australia, Rusden 1897.djvu/317

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BAUDIN AT WESTERN PORT, 1802.
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with an officer and crew. The ships were blown to sea. On the 7th they vainly searched for their "malheureux compagnons." On the night of the 7th the Naturaliste lost her consort. Baudin continued the search on the 8th. On the 9th he was ill, but charged his lieutenant, Freycinet, "d'exécuter la recherche demandée par l'équipage et l'état major." "Toute la journée du 9 Mars y fut consacrée, pendant huit heures. M. Freycinet (Peron writes) manoeuvra le long de ces cotés effrayants, avec une audace, un sangfroid, et une précision également dignes d'éloges."

Such was the occupation of the French explorers on the day when, in obedience to the orders of precision of Governor King, the master's mate of the Porpoise, in a brig of 60 tons hoisted the English flag on the shores of Port Phillip. The French reached Western Port on the 29th March, and not knowing that they had been anticipated by the Lady Nelson, wrote (Peron) "Ici finissent les travaux des navigateurs Anglois. A ce même point commence notre longue et penible exploration." On the 29th March King reported to the Admiralty the performances of the Lady Nelson. On the 11th March the Lady Nelson weighed anchor. "With a strong tide running out we got into the entrance . . . we then fell into such a ripple that we expected every moment it would break on board . . . we, however, got clear out." After a rough cruise Port Jackson was reached (24th March 1802), and Murray gave glowing accounts of the land and harbour he had seen. On the 29th King reported the important discovery to the Admiralty, which, with previous surveys, he hoped would

"convince their Lordships that that highly useful vessel, the Lady Nelson, has not been idle since under my direction, and although Mr. Murray unfortunately does not possess the qualities of an astronomer and surveyor, yet I trust his efforts and success will, in proportion to his abilities and conduct as a seaman and officer, recommend him to their Lordships' notice, he having passed for a lieutenant at the Cape of Good Hope, a copy of which certificate and of my appointment for him to command the Lady Nelson I have the honour to enclose, and respectfully submit his services to their Lordships' consideration."[1]

  1. ↑ Previous misconduct on Murray's part prevented him from profiting by King's recommendation. It was ascertained at the Admiralty that he had not told the truth when he passed the examination at the Cape of Good Hope. He had imposed upon the examiners by alleging that he had served in 1789 in a vessel which was not in commission at the time. Sir
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