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[Page 2]
board the Investigator in case of a fatal accident happening to her.
These were the whole sum of advantages that could be performed by her in her best State; and on the other hand, there were the following drawback, and disadvantages. -
1st For the brig to keep a head, the Investigator must generally keep under very easy sail, which would frequently occasion much loss of time; especially in the run from hence to Carpentaria, which the expected monsoon requires should be performed as expeditionaly as a dire regard to safety will permit. Within the reef where the greatest danger is to be apprehended we have generally found a boat to be of equal and frequently of greater service in this respect than the Lady Nelson. -
2nd There now remains but little prospect of any longer rivers in New Holland, the whole south-coast and the most likely places upon the east, being already explored by us; but nevertheless, the brig might be very useful to us in this 2nd point of view. -
3rd In case of the loss of the Investigator it is undoubtedly of much consequence to have a second vessel; but in the present state of the brig, the probabilities are, that the ship will rather have to save the people of the Lady Nelson; and this brings me to another object of some consideration - should the brig be lost she cannot certainly be of any further service to us, but if she gets safe to Port Jackson, she may be of the greatest use in a future expedition when her damages are repaired and wants supplied.
4th For the brig to perform any part of what is abovementioned it is necessary that she be supplied with at least one of the only two small anchors in the ship; and she will soon be in equal want of the only hawser which I have to replace a worn stream cable with, or of which lower rigging can be made; she will also have occasion for much rope and other shall stores, and for 3 or 4 months - provisions. -
Was I so desirous to keep her, bad as she is, as to distress the Investigator in order to supply her wants; yet another loss equal to what she has sustained in this early part of the voyage would oblige her to run for the nearest port, in which case the Investigator would have been distressed to little purpose; and experience has already shows me that we are liable to part company. -
Upon mature deliberation of the above circumstances, I have given Lieutenant Murray orders to return, and as the Lady Nelson can spare her launch without inconvenience, I have kept it until our arrival at Port Jackson to replace a six-oared cutter which the great rapidity of the tide in a passage between Island Head and Cape Townsend deprived us of, but fortunately without the loss of any man.
I kept the brig until a passage out to sea could be found clear of the reefs, and this appearing now to be the case I intend going into the Gulph