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Extracts from a Journal
May the 13th 1787 I sailed from Portsmouth in His Majesty's Ship Sirius with the Hyaena Frigate. Supply Armed Tender Three Store Ships and Six Transports.
the 20th 1787 Being clear of the Channel the Hyaena returned to Plymouth
June the 3rd 1787 Anchored at Teneriffe [Tenerife]
the 10th 1787 Sailed.
August the 3rd 1787 Anchored in the Harbour of Rio de Janeiro. Saluted the Port on going in with fifteen Guns, and received the same Number in return.
September the 4th 1787" Sailed. In going out I was saluted by the Port with Twenty one Guns, which were returned with an equal number this was the last mark of Attention I received from the Vice King who had given one every Assistance in his Power. I had received the Same Honors as were paid to himself his own Guard always turning out when I went to the Palace by his Attention to me, shewing his respect to my Sovereign.
October the 13th 1787 Saw the Cape of Good Hope, and in the Evening anchored in Table Bay, saluted with fifteen Guns, and received the same Number in return from the Fort.
November the 12th 1787 Sailed from the Cape of Good Hope and the 25th being to the Eastward of the Cape I left the Sirius, and went on board the Supply Armed Tender in order by proceeding the Transports, to have time to examine Botany Bay and fix the most Eligible Situation for the Settlement we had Strong Gales of Wind from the N.W. to the S.W. till
January the 3rd 1788 When we saw the Southern Extremity of New South Wales
the 18th 1788 Anchored in Botany Bay.
19th 1788 Three of the Transports came in and
the 20th 1788 The Sirius came in with the rest of the Transports and Store Ships all very healthy. Botany Bay not offering any good Situation for a Settlement, and little shelter for the Ships in an Easterly wind, I proceeded with several Boats, to the Northward in order to examine Port Jackson and Broken Bay which Captain Cook supposed to afford Shelter against