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Sydney Gazette, 6th of July 1816:
“The Hawkesbury Packet [this boat is identified as the Recovery in shipwreck research, published by the Heritage Office], belonging to Mr. Solomon Wiseman, of Sydney, and commanded by Mr. Edward Watson, was driven considerably to the northward, and was obliged to take shelter in Port Stevens [Port Stephens], , where she anchored on the 28th ult., when her provisions being nearly expended, without a prospect of getting out again, or any chance of supply, two of the crew, George Yates and Nicholas Thompson, tendering themselves to walk in to the settlement of Newcastle to procure a supply for the vessel, in which Mr. Watson and two other men remained. Taking with them a small proportion of the slender stock of provisions that remained, they set out in the morning under the guidance of a native, in whose friendly disposition they thought they might confide; but he treacherously conducted them towards an encampment of his tribe, by whom the unfortunate men were immediately seized and stripped naked, plundered of their food, and compelled without a guide to resume their journey, in the best manner they were able, at a most inclement season, which was rendered excessive by incessant torrents of rain. Having travelled some distance towards the sea coast, Thompson sunk beneath the weight of cold, fatigue, and famine; was seized with a violent shivering, and could proceed no further. In that deplorable condition his eyes were closed in death; and his companion, reduced to nearly an equally feeble and perishing condition, unable to stand erect, crawled three miles through a bush, and reaching the sea side after dark, was taken up by some people belonging to a lime boat, and conveyed to Newcastle where his distresses were amply relieved by the Commandant, who also ordered an immediate supply to be dispatched round to the vessel.”
Sydney Gazette, 1st of February 1817:
“SHIP NEWS. - The colonial vessel Mary, arrived on Wednesday last from Port Stevens [Port Stephens]; brings the unpleasant account of a man belonging to the Hawkesbury Packet having been speared in the face by the natives, and the vessel robbed of all provisions; the wound, although severe and ghastly; not being, however, of a mortal victory.
The Hawkesbury Packet was to meet her end when she was wrecked in 1817 south of Sydney.
Sydney Gazette, 6th of September 1817:
“On Saturday evening last arrived in an open boat from Gummoramorrah [Minnamurra], lying between Shoal Haven and the Five Islands [Illawarra], about midway, which is, 10 or 11 miles from each, with the unpleasant tidings of the loss of the sloop Hawkesbury Packet, 28 tons measurement, on a reef of rocks at the entrance of Gommorramorrah [sic] [Minnamurra], whither she was destined to lade cedar; all lives saved, but nothing else. - This disaster is to the sufferer the more severe, as Mr. Wiseman had lost his other vessel, the Hope of 15 tons, about two months before, at Port Stevens [Port Stephens]; on which occasion two men were killed by the natives; one of whom was Benjamin Waterhouse, formerly mate of the Lady Nelson, and the other James Cowen. These unhappy victims to native ferocity had, as appears from Mr. Wiseman’s report, proceeded in an open boat up a creek, with intent to look after cedar, but never more returned.”
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