colonists
to Tasmania, and both ships reached Risdon safely, the Lady Nelson
arriving on the 7th of September and the Albion, with Lieutenant Bowen on
board, five days later.* (* Risdon (afterwards called Hobart by
Lieutenant Bowen) was so named by Captain John Hayes of the Bombay
Marine, who, in command of two ships the Duke of Clarence and the
Duchess, visited Tasmania in 1793. The name was given in honour of Mr.
William Bellamy Risdon, second officer of the Duke of Clarence. Captain
Hayes also named the River Derwent.) The people were safely landed, but
unfortunately much of the stock in the vessels was injured during the
gale that raged after leaving Sydney. Many eligible places for a
settlement presented themselves, and the Commandant eventually chose
Risdon, because there the best stream of water ran into the cove and also
because there were extensive valleys behind it. A few natives were seen
when the Lady Nelson came into the harbour, but they quickly retired into
the woods. The delay in the Albion's passage was caused by Captain Bunker
putting in to Oyster Bay to avoid the bad weather. He stayed three days
in the bay, where his crew killed three large spermaceti whales.

LOG OF THE LADY NELSON IN SYDNEY COVE.

GEORGE CURTOYS, Commander.

"Friday, 10th June (1803). P.M. Moderate and cloudy. Came on board
Lieutenant Bowen, 10 convicts and 3 soldiers for Van Dieman's Land: at 6
A.M. hove short; 1/2 past fired a gun and made signal for a pilot, at 1/2
past weighed and made sail out of the harbour.

"Wednesday, 15th June. Fresh breezes and cloudy: at 8 squally, bore up
for Twofold Bay the wind seeming to be set in from the Southward and
likely to blow hard.

"Friday, June 24th. Moderate and clear at 5 and found the Bay at 5: came
to with best bower and moored ship 1/2 cable's length from the shore.
Employed making a raft of our spars and main keel: sent the carpenters on
shore to build a punt.

"Saturday, 25th June. Down long top-gallant mast and up short ones.

"Sunday, 26th June. Sent empty casks on shore.

"Monday, 27th June. Employed setting up the lower and top-mast rigging:
received wood and water.

"Tuesday, 28th June. Saw a sloop in the offing standing in to the Bay
made signal for all persons to return on board.

"Wednesday, 29th June. Got all ready for sea: unmoored and shoved further
out. A.M. Strong breezes; made signal for the sloop to come down--proved
to be the John of Sydney.

"Friday,