Page:Narrative of a survey of the intertropical and western coasts of Australia, Volume 1.djvu/410

348 After all our defects were repaired, and we were otherwise quite ready for sea, we were detained nearly a month before our crew was completed; and it was not until the 14th of June that we left Port Jackson.

For a day or two previous to our departure the weather had been very unsettled; and, when we sailed, there was every appearance of an approaching gale of wind: we had, however, been detained so long in collecting a crew, that I was glad to sail the moment we were ready: besides, I hoped to get to the northward before the threatening storm commenced. Unfortunately, however, we had no sooner put to sea than it set in; and, by the time we were abreast of Smoky Cape, the wind, after flying about, fixed itself in the eastern board, and blew extremely hard, with thick weather and heavy rain. The gale lasted with little intermission during the 20th and 21st; and at four o'clock the next morning we had the misfortune to lose our bowsprit by the vessel's plunging into a head sea. We had, however, made a sufficient offing to enable us to keep away two points, so that, by rigging the wreck of the bowsprit, which was barely long enough to spread the storm jib, we contrived to steer a course we had every reason to think would carry her clear of Port Stevens. We continued