Page:History of West Australia.djvu/57

 Rh pitched heavily at times, and on Sunday the sky clouded and rain fell, and the sails were close reefed. At 11 a.m., while the Sulphur loomed up on the larboard beam, all who were able congregated for Divine Service, a function which was not omitted throughout the long voyage. The breezes moderated towards the close of the day, and there was fine weather for some hours, but storms soon came upon them and rain fell at intervals for several days. Squalls, swells, and fresh winds alternated with fine breezes, and sails were reefed or let out, and the ship tacked, in turn. On Tuesday a strange sail was seen on the starboard quarter, and on Thursday the Parmelia spoke the Sulphur. The weather had now moderated and under all increasingly warm sun good progress was made.

The voyage was not monotonous, for a systematic routine was soon established. The unbroken view of ocean begets a restfulness in the human mind, and to the normally constituted there is little dulness on the sea. The simple side of character is brought out, for to some extent the mythical "Golden Age" reigns over those crossing the oceans. Islands, strange ships, the inhabitants of the oceans, attract attention; and the pioneers took delight in watching the eccentric movements of whales and dolphins, or followed the gyrations of the sea-birds in their aerial flight. Mr. Nathaniel Ogle wrote that pioneers were entertained by a diversity of interesting sights. "The beaming sun gives the character of liquid silver to the waves; flying fish glitter in the sunbeams; dolphins follow in the vessel's wake, gambol about her bows, or fly from the pursuing albicore;" and there is "the mysterious silent albatross, searing like a spirit above the waves." At night the ploughing ship creates, "as if to illuminate her track, new-born phosphoric fire, which springs in showers as the surges are dashed by her bows, and falling, subside into undulating curves of liquid light, which follow, until the gleam is lost in distance." Then as the "line" is crossed new constellations appear and the sky is fretted with strange heavenly bodies.

The Island of Tenerife was seen W.S.W. twelve miles distant on Sunday, the 22nd February, and while that massive picturesque peak rose, sphinx-like, out of the ocean within their gaze, they again met and in praise and prayer worshipped their God. Next day Teneriffe was a hazy cloud in their rear. At intervals the Sulphur was spoke to see that all was well, and thus from day to day they went on, striving to get all the speed they could from the winds, which were now becoming variable. Two strange sails cut the horizon on the 9th March, and when they were abreast of one of them the Parmelia sent a boat on board. This vessel proved to be the Batavia (the same name as Pelsart's ship wrecked on the Abrolhos), from Batavia, bound for England. Letters announcing their welfare were sent to England on this vessel by the pioneers, and all sails were set, and soon the home-bound ship was lost sight of. Other storms were experienced, and on Sunday, the 15th March, the mainyard was backed, and a boat despatched to the Sulphur to learn the state of those on board the man-of-war. For some days this consort ship would now be out of sight and then she would appear over the bows of the Parmelia, astern, or on either rode. The position was constantly changing. When nearing the American coast the more timid passengers on the Parmelia were in fear lest they would be attacked by one of the many pirate ships which then roamed those regions. An alarm was one day given of a pirate in sight, but the presence of the man-of-war daunted any intention it may have had of seizing the Parmelia. This was on the 24th March. A suspicious-looking ship spoke them and asked for provisions, and, in answer to enquiries, said she was from Buenos Ayres bound for Antwerp. Throughout the passage down the Atlantic ships were being met with. A few days before Table Bay at the Cape was reached storms were experienced, which lasted some days, and the two vessels were separated from each other and did not join company again until within the port.

At 5 p.m. on Thursday, the 16th April, the Parmelia brought to in squally weather within Table Bay. Captain Stirling, who piloted the vessel in, went on shore with passengers on the 17th and remained at that settlement for thirteen days. Cape Colony had been established for some years, and although not then a pronounced success so far as the problem of colonisation went, it possessed valuable and remunerative resources. If necessary, Stirling recognised, it would prove a useful basis for replenishing stores and procuring stock for Swan River. Live stock of all descriptions was abnormally cheap, and Captain Stirling purchased four draught oxen, a plough, waggon, verdigris, and other products, for use at Swan River. He remained at Cape Town only so long as was absolutely necessary, striving to expedite the passage because of the lateness of the season in Western Australia.

A tragical event to two of the party at the Cape caused great sorrow to the remainder. Dr. Tully Daly, who had sailed as assistant surgeon for the settlement, and was accompanied by his wife and five children, proceeded to return from the shore to the ship on Saturday evening, the 25th April. The boat was manned by the second mate and four sailors. A heavy swell was running from the northward, and when the side of the vessel was reached the boat swamped, and cast its occupants into the sea. Dr. Daly had his eldest daughter, eight years old, with him, and both were drowned. The whaleboat was lowered and the body of the doctor was recovered, but the child was lost in the darkness, and no sign of it was ever seen again.

Next day the body of Dr. Daly was buried on shore, and the pioneers followed, with gloomy thoughts, their dead comrade to the grave. Captain Stirling at once wrote to England asking for the appointment of another medical man.

The Parmelia weighed and left Table Bay on Thursday afternoon, the 30th April. The first part of the run to the coast of Australia was characterised by bad weather, which, however, ultimately cleared. The pioneers were now in the Southern Hemisphere, and had their faces set towards their future fields of labour. The Sulphur soon disappeared in the rear, and they had to proceed alone. While the passengers sought to qualify themselves for their new life at Swan River, Captain Stirling busied himself in giving instructions to his civil officers. He drew up the instructions which were to guide the different departments, and those received by Lieutenant Roe were dated, "Parmelia, at sea, 12th May, 1829." The duties required of the Surveyor-General were set down, and provided that the books were to be submitted to the Lieutenant-Governor on the first day of each month. In the document presented to the Colonial Secretary, Mr. Brown, he is desired to open his office, for despatch of business, at eight in the morning, to close at two p.m., and to call on the Governor at ten a.m. each day, to submit documents and transact other business.

On the 16th May, a document was issued on board constituting a "Board of Counsel and Audit in the management of the Property of the Crown, and of Public Property within the Settlement." Commander Mark J. Currie was appointed presiding commissioner, and Lieutenant John S. Roe, and Mr. William Stirling, his coadjutors, all without salary. On the same date, Mr. James Drummond was appointed to the honorary position of superintendent of Government farms, gardens, and plantations; Mr. G. W. Mangles, superintendent of Government stock; Mr. H. W. Reveley, civil engineer to settlement; Mr. William Stirling, registrar; Mr. John Morgan, storekeeper; and Mr. H. O. Sutherland, assistant