STANLEY, Owen December 22nd 1849

Component identifier:

Item 3

Content Summary:

H.M.S. Rattlesnake, Near C. Passy, New Guinea

[C.J. Tyers]

(A.L.S. 6pp 24cm)

Stocked up at Moreton Bay, met a cyclone but weathered it well. Anchored at Rossel Island and surveyed wouth part of the Louisiade. Bramble's pinnace was attacked by First Nations people but little harm done.

Continued along New Guinea Coast to point where Blackwood's survey ended. Fertile country but no bay suitable for anchorage. Went on to Cape York, from where the Bramble surveyed reefs from Cape York to "Bligh's farewell," "...the charts to the North of the Prince of Wales Channel are most incorrect." Observations at C. York indicate the banana is indigenous to Australia. Met a white woman, Mrs Thomson, who lived 5 years with the local first nations people [name unknown]; she spoke of their customs.

Ships are returning by a new route. Stanley has collection of local weapons and tools he wants to compare with "boomerangs and the like from your part of the world."

February 5th, during return journey many of crew ill, but hope to leave by the middle of May for Sydney where he hopes Tyers will manage to meet him.

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