On This Day
1770-1849 > First Fleet and RN
On This Day - 1770-1849
- October 23, 1823
HMC cutter MERMAID sailed with explorer John Oxley to survey the coast between Fingal Head and Gladstone.
- September 9, 1820
HMCS SPITFIRE, transported the expedition of LEUT J. W. Smith, RN, and G. E. Dalrymple, to explore northern Queensland. Spitfire Rock was named to honour the schooner
- October 16, 1818
HMC brig LADY NELSON returned to Port Jackson, Sydney, after an unsuccessful search for survivors from the schooner WILLIAM COSSAR, in the Port Stephens, NSW area.
A wreck, identified as the colonial schooner GOVERNOR HUNTER, was found on a beach 40 to 50 miles north of Port Stephens.
- October 23, 1817
The monthly rate of pay for an able seaman in HMC vessels was £11 3s 6d.
Soap and slops were charged against them.
- October 19, 1817
The RN adopted the 9,000 item flag signalling system compiled by CAPT Frederick Marryat, RN. The system was adapted from the French Navy manual. It was first demonstrated in Australia by HMS WARSPITE, in 1826.
CAPT Marryat achieved lasting fame as the author of Mr. Midshipman Easy.
- January 12, 1817
HMCS LADY NELSON, (brig), sailed from Sydney to search for survivors from the brig TRIAL in the Port Stephens area.
Natives interrogated by the ship’s crew said the convicts who had landed from the wreck had built a smaller vessel and had sailed north.
- June 20, 1814
HMS NELSON, later HMVS NELSON, was launched on the River Thames, London.
- February 10, 1814
Captain John Piper resigned his army commission to assume the duties of Naval Officer, Port Jackson.
- December 25, 1811
Governor Lachlan Macquarie and Mrs. Macquarie celebrated Christmas in on passage from Hobart to Newcastle.
‘My poor Elizabeth has suffered a great deal from the seasickness’, recorded the Governor.
- September 7, 1811
The Sydney Gazette published a proclamation by Governor Lachlan Macquarie, declaring Garden Island, Sydney, a public domain.