a1490002

Thomas Watson - journals and associated material, 1838-1844

10 September 1838-19 July 1839;  Journal of the Schooner 'Essington' from Sydney through Torres Straits, towards Port Essington. The journal records Watson's voyage from Sydney to the north coast of Australia to assist in the founding of the settlement at Port Essington. It contains a good description of Port Essington as well as notes on the coasts and islands visited and the customs of Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders. Of particular note is an account of the rescue of a sailor named John Forbes, the sole survivor of the crew of the  schooner 'Stedcombe' who had been massacred by the Islanders of Timor Laut in 1822. Other islands visited and described included Murray Island, Darnley Island, Nepean Island, Stephen's Island, Dalrymple Island, Marsden Island, Wednesday Island and Booby Island as well as Point Record, Kissa, Lettee, Moa, Lakor, Luan, Rorna, Wetta, Timor, Dilly, Veimassa, Meeso, Mattahatta and Coupang. At the end of the journal are copies of letters, 1838-42, by Watson and others including Anne Slade, Sir Gordon Bremer and Lloyd's concerning the rescue of Forbes. 
5 November 1843-25 October 1844;  Journal of the Brig 'Diana' Captain Watson towards Norfolk Island, New Caledonia, etc. mounting 13 guns and 40 men. This journal records a voyage in the South-West Pacific, through Torres Strait and on to Batavia in search of sandalwood. It includes descriptions of the indigenous people and European traders. The 'Diana' visited Norfolk Island, the Isle of Pines, Morgee Island, New Caledonia, the islands of Tanna, Annatom, Erromanga and Booby Island.

a1490002

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