Hunter Living Histories

The Original Jeffrey’s Chart in the Hydrographic Office, London

The original chart (below), in red ink, titled Part of Hunters River (or the Coal River) – Survey’d by Lieut. C Jeffreys (a) Commander of H M C. Brig – Kangaroo March 1816 is located at the Hydrographic Office in London, where all the important mapping of the British Empire are held. We thank the Hydrographic Office for providing a digital copy for us.

Original Documentation February 1816 – March 1816 relating to this Chart

His Majesty’s Brig Kangaroo
Sydney Cove February 8^th 1816

Sir

I have this day received your letter conveying to me His Excellency’s sentiments on mine of yesterdays date And stating that I am to hold myself in readiness to proceed on the shortest notice with provisions and prisoners to the Settlement at Newcastle and to bring a return Cargo of Coals and Cedar for this Government  I have to state for His Excellency’s information that I shall attentively and carefully comply with His Excellency’s orders but in order to fullfill the tenet and confidence imposed in me by His Majesty’s Ministers to do my duty towards His Excellency and to justify my own conduct. I feel it a duty incumbent on me to state to His Excellency that I have received Captain Flinders Charts including Hunters River from the Lords Commissions of the admiralty and that I have also gathered such information as is practible and find that the Settlement on Harbor at N. Castle is a dangerous and improper place for so large a Vessel as the Kangaroo. I also beg to state that no private feelings have actuated me on this decision but merely the good of His Majesty’s Service, and to preserve so fine a Vessel as the Kangaroo. I shall be happy to offer any information in my power concerning the navigation of that river should His Excellency think proper. In answer to that part of your letter concerning Wm (William) Fryers a prisoner embarked on board the Kangaroo at Colombo, I have to state that he made his escape at Prince of Wales Island by Cuting  away One of the boats from the Storm of the Brig between 7.55 and 8.15 of the same evening of October 24^th 1815 as is entered in the Accompanying Log Book of that  date he was not in Terms neither did he come on board in that  state, The Clerk of His Majesty’s Brig under my command having him discharged at Penang has prevented me from sending my journal to His Excellency I not having time to complete the copying of it, I have now the Honor to send him herewith the Ships log books two in number and should his Excellency wish a copy hereafter it shall be sent He will also preview that on our voyage to Ceylon we passed the only part of the Coast of New Holland heretofore unexplored a Chart of which I have had the Honor to transmit to the Transport board and Hydrographer of the Admiralty.

I have the Honor to be

Sir

your Obedient humble Servant

Charles Jeffreys (signed)

Lieutenant Commanding
and Senior Officer of
HMS & Vessels on the
New South Wales Station

To J. Thomas Campbell Esq
Secretary
& & &
Sydney

*****

11

HMB Kangaroo  Feb 13^th 1816

Sir

In answer to that part of you Letter of Yesterday date stating that the Governor desires to be informed when we can sail for Newcastle, I have to say that in consequence of Having to land a proportion of Stores &c it will be the Latter end of this week before we can sail.

I have the Honor to

be Sir

Your very Humble Servant

Charles Jeffries Commandant

J T Campbell Esquire

*****

11a

On H M Service

In answer Received 13 February 1816

J. T. Campbell Esq.

Secretary & & &

Sydney

From Charles Jeffreys

Kangaroo

*****

16 Feb 1816

Instructions for Lieutenant
Charles Jeffreys Per N.
Commandant of H. M. Colonial
Brig Kangaroo. –

 

Sir,

1. On receipt of these Instructions you are hereby directed to sail for the Settlement of Newcastle in Hunters River, Wind and Weather permitting, with the Prisoners under Colonial Sentences, and the Provisions for the use of that Settlement, shipped on board the Kangaroo by the Commissariat Department here, and County Jailor; – Which Prisoners and Provisions you are to land at Newcastle immediately on

12a

on your arrival there; taking the Receipt of the Commandant of that Settlement for both. –

2. As soon as you have landed there Convicts; and Provisions, at Newcastle, you will acquaint the Commandant that you are ready to receive a full Lading of Coals and Cedar there for the use of Government; and as soon as you have received the same on board, together with such Passengers as the Commandant of Newcastle may have occasion to send to Sydney on board the Kangaroo, you will sail from Hunter’s River and Return again to Sydney with the least possible delay. –

12b

3. The Navigation of Hunter’s River being represented to me as intricate, and dangerous for large Vessels at certain times of the Tides; I have deemed it adviseable, for the greater security of His Majesty’s Brig under your Command, to appoint Mr Joseph Ross to actions Pilot for carrying the Kangaroo into and out of that Harbour; at such times of the Tide as he may judge most suitable for her to go in and come out of Hunter’s River.

4. You are accordingly hereby directed to receive the above mentioned Mr Joseph Ross as Pilot on board The Brig under your Command; and it is my desire that you shall be entirely governed by his advice and directions in sailing into

12c

into and coming out of Hunter’s River; giving over to him the charge of the Brig as soon as you arrive off the mouth of the Harbour in approaching it, and allowing him to continue in charge of her in again coming out of the said Harbour until he reports to you that the Brig is out of all danger.

5. In the event of any accident befalling the Brig Kangaroo, whilst under charge of Mr Ross as her Pilot, all responsibility and blame must attach to him – and to me in appointing him to that situation. – Hence it follows that no blame or responsibility can attach to you whilst the Brig Kangaroo is immediately under the direction of her Pilot Mr Ross.

 

I am, Sir,

your most obedient Servant

Government House

Sydney, 16^th February 1816

*****

13

His Majesty’s Brig Kangaroo

Watsons Bay 19^th February 1816

 

Sir,

I have to request you will be pleased to inform His Excellency the Governor that have twice attempted to Terence Kelly –    preens the passage to N. Castle; Benjamin Dean-   have been obliged to put in here, …. and Cement being against us – and that an Mustering the Prisoners this morning found the two Men named in the Morgen Missing –

I am

Sir,

Your very humble Servant

Charles Jeffreys Lieutenant & Commandant

 

J T. Campbell Esquire

 

13a

On H M Service

To John Thomas Campbell Esquire

Secretary

Sydney

*****

From Lieutenant Jeffreys

Received at 1206 19 February 1816

 

Send in less than

one hour

HM Brig

Kangaroo

 

14

 

List of Prisoners Received on Board HMB Kangaroo

at New Castle

 

No        Entry                Names                          Time Discharged

 

1          2 Mar 1816       Joseph Ryan                  

2          “     –    “            H. M. Smith                  

3          “     –    “             Nicholas Leacy              sick 

4          “     –    “             Charles Adams              

5          “     –    “             Jn Galliand                    sick 

6          “     –    “             Rt Williams                   

7          “     –    “             Jales Patshen                

8          “     –    “             Jos Ripheal                   

9          “     –    “            Samuel Price                 

10        “     –    “             Nic Rose                       

10        “     –    “             Sun Duddet                  sick

11        “     –    “             May Malony                 Dis – 5 Mar 1816 New Castle

12        “     –    “             Mary Hughes

13        “     –    “             Jn Malony                     Discharged 5 Mar 1816 Newcastle

14        “     –    “            [ ] Malony                     Ditto    Ditto    Ditto

 

C Jeffreys Commandant

 

14a

 

To

The Commanding officer of H. M.

Colonial Brig Kangaroo.

Sir, you are hereby directed to deliver over the within mentioned Prisoners to the Bearer Mr Hutchinson Prin. Sup. –

Sydney

12^th March 1816    L Macquarie (signed)

[Ref: COLONIAL SECRETARY Main Series of Letters Received Bundles 10 – 12 Newcastle 1816 – 18 Original Location 4/1806 Reel 6066 – Pages 27-38,  Transcribed by Karen Moller, 2019]

The Linen Copy of the Jeffries (sic) Chart in the State Library of N.S.W.

The Linen copy has a misspelling of “Jeffries” and is missing details recorded on the original of the Coal Mines, a note on a shoal, and the inset of the Jervis Bay is omitted.

Part of Hunter’s River: (or the Coal River) surveyed by Lieutenant Charles Jeffries, Commander of H. M. G. Brig. Kangaroo.

Another Copy From An Unidentified Source Among the Slides of the Late Dr John Turner.

A Quick Look At Newcastle, 1816 (1950, September 2). Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate (NSW : 1876 – 1954), p. 5. Retrieved June 12, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134396201

The Shipwrecks

1. The Dundee (1808) – incorrectly marked as “1812”
2. The Estramina (1816)
3. The Nautilus (1816)

The Ship Dundee (1808)

LOSS of the DUNDEE.

THE Dundee, Captain Cummings, sailed from hence for the Fejees and Pulo Penang, or the Prince of Wales’s Island, on Saturday, the 13th instant.

At 8 A.M. of the same day a heavy gale set to which continued the whole of the day, and next morning the ship was upon a lee shore, and every exertion to get her off the land proved ineffectual.

On the morning of the 15th, being about 3 miles to windward of Hunter’s River, the gale increased ; and the sea running very high, it was found necessary to bear up, in hopes of finding safe anchorage at the entrance of the River, as the only possible means of saving the lives of the people, and possibly the ship : but being unable to carry sail to keep the ship to windward, and a strong fresh runing out of the River, it was impossible to weather the breakers on the lee sand shoals ; and at 8 A.M. of the 15th she struck abaft, the sea making a prodigious breach over her as she lay until between 1 and 2 A.M. when the vessel went to pieces, and scarcely any thing was saved. In so distressing a calamity it is some gratification to be informed that only two persons lost their lives, who were Lascars that had sailed in the vessel from Penang. The chief officer narrowly escaped being drowned ; for, being obliged to swim for his life, and having a greater distance to go than his strength was adequate to, he sunk within a short distance of the shore, but was happily rescued from a watery grave by the well-timed exertions of several who had gained the shore, and were spectacles of his imminent danger.

Captain Cummings with his officers and part of the crew arrived in Sydney on Friday afternoon, in the Governor Hunter.

The Schooner Estramina (1816)

The Schooner Estramina Lost 19th January 1816

Newcastle 25^th January 1816

Sir

I have to state for the information of His Excellency the Governor that on Friday the 19^th Inst as the Estramina was beating out of the Harbour with a strong N:E Wind and Ebb side she was obligd to come to an Anchor from which she unfortunately par led and Drifted on a Sand Bank where in a few hours she filld part of her Stern having given way

I have given Mr Ross every assistance in my power which has enabled him to save a part of the Sails rigging &c &c &c her Hub now lies a Wreck on the North Shore The Nelson now in sight this morning but from the very great fresh in the Run she was obliged to bear a way for Port Stevens Mr Ross will proceed to Sydney by her in charge of the stores &c &c &c that belonged to his Vessel

The Elizabeth and Mary got on shore at the same time but from the report of the Master there is some hope of his being saved.

The schooner Mary is laden with cedar Logs on account of the owner and beg leave to enclose the usual form of bill with a requisition for provisions a receipt of prisoners received per the Estramina an the Weeky returns of Labour

The lengths of Pine flooring Boards required are very uncommon therefore I have sent a Gang with a Pair of Sawyers up river for the purpose and if not prevented by the late heavy fall of Rain I expect to procure them in the course of a Week –

Have the to remark to His Excellency that two Punts (from 8 to 10 Tons each) are much wanted for the use of Lime Burning

I have the Honor to be

Sir

Your obedient humble Servant

Thompson

Mr Secretary Campbell

&c &c &c Sydney

On His Majestys Service

John Thomas Campbell Esquire

Secretary Sydney

Schooner

Mary

– [Ref: COLONIAL SECRETARY Main Series of Letters Received Bundles 10 – 12 Newcastle 1816 – 18 Original Location 4/1806 Reel 6066 – Pages 14-17 Transcribed by Karen Moller 2019]

 

*****

Newcastle 27^th January 1816

Sir

This morning at 11 AM the Lady Nelson anchored I now dispatch her at 6 PM with some coals and cedar Logs as specifyed in the enclosed receipt, She has on board the stores saved from the Estramina with the Master and Crew

I am sorry to acquaint you that the loss sustained from the late heavy fall of Rain amounts to 2000 Bushels of Lime (in Kilns and otherwise) the whole of the Islands being in a state of inundation

Your application for a cut Water for the Government Vessel shall shall be attended to, I beg the steel Mills may be sent as soon as possible the old ones are returned some time back

I have the honor to be

Sir

your obedient humble Servant

Thompson
Commandant

Mr Secretary Campbell

&c &c &c

Sydney

– [Ref: COLONIAL SECRETARY Main Series of Letters Received Bundles 10 – 12 Newcastle 1816 – 18 Original Location 4/1806 Reel 6066 – Pages 19-20 Transcribed by Karen Moller 2019]

 *****

Newcastle 9^th February 1816

Sir

….As soon as the Weather will admit nothing shall be different on my part to recover as much as possible from the remains of the Estramina,

I have the honor to be

Sir

your obedient Humble Servant

Thompson

Mr Secretary Campbell

&c &c &c Sydney

– [Ref: COLONIAL SECRETARY Main Series of Letters Received Bundles 10 – 12 Newcastle 1816 – 18 Original Location 4/1806 Reel 6066 – Page 22 Transcribed by Karen Moller 2019]

*****

Newcastle 29^th February 1816

Sir

I beg leave to enclose a bill of Lading of the cargo supplied the Brig Kangaroo consisting of Cedar Logs, Pine flooring boards, Coals and two Gum Logs for cut water &c you have also the weekly Returns by Labor, List of Prisoners received and Run – with those permitted to return to Sydney By order of His Excellency – I have to request that all Vessels trading thether may be furnished with the Port Regulations – With regard to the Estramina I am sorry I cannot make a more favourable report – her bottom is now buried in a Quick Sand at low water mark where a heavy surf sets in therefore my attempts I doubt will be priceless however no pains on labor shall be wanting on my Part.

The boat that belonged to the schooner is flat bottomed therefor very suitable for the Lime Burners

I have directed the immediate repair for that source – A Woman named Maloney I have ordered to Sydney for labouring runaway’s –

I have the Honor to be

Sir

your obedient Humble Servant

Thompson

Commandant

Mr Secretary Campbell

&c, &c, &c

Sydney

– [Ref: COLONIAL SECRETARY Main Series of Letters Received Bundles 10 – 12 Newcastle 1816 – 18 Original Location 4/1806 Reel 6066 – Pages 23-25 Transcribed by Karen Moller 2019]

 

*****

– [Ref: COLONIAL SECRETARY Main Series of Letters Received Bundles 10 – 12 Newcastle 1816 – 18 Original Location 4/1806 Reel 6066 – Pages 32-35 Transcribed by Karen Moller 2019]

Newcastle, 1^st July 1817

Sir /

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 28^th June by the Lady Nelson, who arrived here yesterday Evening, she is now loaded and I enclose a monthly statement of the settlement, a list of Prisoners received and disharged together with a return of Government stock, a demand for stores and the usual bill of lading –

I am glad to inform you the list [former] anchor and cable of the Estramina has been recovered by sweeping for them in the channel the Pilot Robt Whitmore is entitled to any favor His Excellency The Govr. may choose to show him for his exertions on the above occasion

I have sent the anchor and cable in Mr Smiths charge –

I have the honor to be

Sir

Yr. most obedt. Hble Svt.

James Wallis

Commandant

J.P.

John Thos Campbell Esqr.

Secy &c &c

Sydney

– [Ref: COLONIAL SECRETARY Main Series of Letters Received Bundles 10 – 12 Newcastle 1816 – 18 Original Location 4/1806 Reel 6066 – Pages 53 Transcribed by Karen Moller 2019]

*****

PUBLIC REPORTS

“Estramina

We are extremely sorry to learn from Hunter’s River, that His Majesty’s colonial schooner Estramina, and Mr. Underwood’s schooner Elizabeth and Mary, went both on shore near the entrance of the River, and that no hopes were entertained of saving the former; the latter it was expected might, with persevering effort, be preserved, but not without considerable expence & trouble. The 2 vessels sailed from the settlement of Newcastle in company on Sunday last, the Estramina with coals and cedar, and the Elizabeth and Mary with coals only, for Sydney.—The Elizabeth and Mary, in standing over to the North Shore, in the act of staying got stern way, and hung aft, and with a strong N. E. wind and ebb tide, found it impossible to get her anchor out in her boat. In five minutes after, the Estramina went on shore a little to windward ; she soon filled, & at 7 in the evening she upset. The Elizabeth and Mary was once got afloat by the exertions of her people, but unfortunately drifted again upon the point where she had at first touched, and broke away her rudder, stove in part of her counter, and also filled. She still lies a-ground; but the master informs by letter that with proper assistance he expects she may yet be got off.” –  Ref: Sydney. (1816, January 27). The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 – 1842), p. 2. Retrieved May 22, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2176527 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2176527>

The Brig Nautilus (1816)

The Brig Nautilus Lost 24th November 1816

Little appears to have been reported about this wreck, marked on the Jeffreys 1816 Chart. The Chart was made in March 1816, so we would assume the wreck must have occurred from January to March 1816, yet we have been unable to find any reference to it being wrecked in the public reports of the time.

Mark Rigby has located the initial public report published in the Sydney Gazette on the 30th November 1816, reporting that the Nautilus “went ashore there on Sunday last” which would have been the 24th November 1816.

We do know that it did occur, as a sale of items salvaged was advertised for sale on King’s Wharf for the 30th December 1816 including “Masts, Sails, Rigging, and entire Apparell saved from the wreck of the Nautilus at Hunter’s River.” There was even the option for “Any Person or Persons willing to purchase the Hull of the said Brig, as it now lies, will be treated with on Application to Mr. EDWARDS, her late Commander.” – Classified Advertising (1816, December 14). The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 – 1842), p. 2. Retrieved June 12, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2176948 The Hull and lower Masts were up for sale the following month on the 24 January 1817, so we can presume that little of this wreck survives at all.

The Colonial reports record the wreck as actually occurring sometime around the 30th November 1816:

Naval Office 30^th Novr. 1816 –

Sir

I have the Honor to report to Your Excellency the Loss of the Nautilus Brig upon Point Ross in the Coal River; Crew saved. I have directed Mr White Commdt. of the Lady Nelson to wait upon Mr Secretary Campbell to afford him every communication on the subject for Your Excellencys information. –

I have the Honor to be

Your Excellency’s

most obt Servant

John Piper

Naval Offr

His Excellency The Govr in chief

&c. &c. &c.

[Ref: COLONIAL SECRETARY Main Series of Letters Received Bundles 10 – 12 Newcastle 1816 – 18 Original Location 4/1806 Reel 6066 – Page 155 Transcribed by Karen Moller 2019]

This poses the question as to why a wreck that occurred on the 24th November 1816 appears as a wreck on a Chart supposedly drawn in March 1816?

Compiled by Gionni Di Gravio, OAM
University Archivist & Chair, Hunter Living Histories

This post has been compiled as reference information in assistance of the Marine Archaeologists and divers of the Australian Maritime Museum Sydney embarking on a search of the surviving shipwrecks of Newcastle. It will also be of use for the Stories of Our Town film makers currently making a film on the Newcastle Shipwrecks.