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The overland journey, of the Master of the shipwrecked vessel Endeavour and four others, from Shoalhaven to Botany Bay is described in the following extracts from the Sydney Gazette.
Sydney Gazette, 13th of March 1813:
“We are extremely sorry to report the loss of the schooner Mercury, the property of Mrs. Reibey; and of the schooner Endeavour, Mr. H. Kable, jun. [See also], at Shoal Haven, on the 2nd instant, both landing cargoes of cedar. Happily, however no lives were lost.”
Sydney Gazette, 20th of March 1813:
“The crew of the Mercury and Endeavour have come in from Shoal Haven, some over-land, and others in a vessel sent down for their relief. The Cumberland arrived from thence yesterday, after much risque in working s’d. The Endeavour was wrecked about half an hour before the Mercury; which latter vessel first lost her rudder on a sand-bank extending across the mouth of the Haven, and becoming unmanageable in a rough sea, she struck upon a rock and broke her keel : -
“From the previous loss of her only boat, her crew had some difficulty in reaching the shore, which with assistance from the other vessels at the place was nevertheless happily effected. The party who came in by land, consisted of Mr. Clause, master of the Endeavour, and four others, who seeing no prospect of relief on account of unfavourable winds, determined on a land travel, without a native guide, a pocket compass, or any knowledge of the trackless wild they were to pass. On Sunday morning last they left their companions, and set out on their journey, with no other dependence than a couple of muskets and a pistol either for their protection or support, and having already subsisted 17 days on the cabbage tree. On the night of their departure and after 12 hours fatiguing travel they met with three natives, from whom by dint of menace and entreaty they gained 2 or 4 pounds of fish. Next morning they had to cross a wide river [possibly Werri Lagoon], and one of the party not being able to swim, a raft was constructed, on which the others floated him to the opposite side. On the evening of the second day another deep river obstructed their progress [Minnamurra River], and they were too much exhausted immediately to attempt a passage, having eaten nothing but grass during the day. They became hopeless of ever reaching these settlements, and were in the deepest despondency, when the appearance of a native dog once more aroused them into action. They killed and were obliged to eat part of the animal, giving the remainder to the three natives they had been with before, and who now re appeared, but neither offered to molest or assist them. Thus miserably regaled, they crossed this river as they had done the former, and on the third morning proceeded forward with pain and anxiety. & mostly bare-footed. This day they crossed another river [Lake Illawarra], and found themselves within a few miles of the Five Islands, but could obtain no assistance from the natives, and never broke their fast at all. Thursday passed over in the same dreadful way, and on Friday morning nothing but the hope that they were within a few miles of Botany Bay could have induced them to proceed a step further. At night disappointed in their expectations, they abandoned themselves in despair - but Providence still inclining to to their preservation, they perceived a fire close at hand, which the natives had quitted, and by its side were 8 or 9 small fish. Thus encouraged, hope once more returned, and yesterday eventually they reached Botany Bay.”
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