Part Two Norfolk Island Journal (Volume II): 13th January 1789–5th April 1790.

This Book to be transmitted to His Excell^y Governor Phillip in case of any accident happening to me—

Norfolk Island Jan^y 1st 1789—

CONTINUATION OF A DAILY JOURNAL OF THE TRANSACTIONS &CC ON NORFOLK ISLAND IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN FOR THE YEARS 1787, 1788, 1789, 1790

VOL 2ND

January 1789 [cont.]

                                       

Week Days	Mo Days	Winds	Landing & Surf	Observation &c	Transactions on Norfolk Island state of Wr &c
Tuesday	13	EbN	Very good Landing		Moderate Breezes & Cloudy weather. 12 Men clearing away & Turning up Ground in Arthurs Vale. 8 Clearing away in the Swamp. 1 Man Thrashing of Wheat, both Sawpits at Work & Three Carpenters about the Commandants house. Blacksmith also employed making Iron work for a roller—
Wednesday	14	NE	Do		Fresh Breezes & Cloudy dark Weather. people all employed as before. at 6 AM. sent the Coble men to Ball Bay, But a great Surf running there, prevented them from bringing her here.
Thursday	15th	NE	Do But a great Swell betn the Islands	Mary Gamble one of ye Female Convicts wounded a Boar in a dangerous manner by throwing an ax at it, Tyed her to the Cart & sentenced her 12 dozen lashes but in consideration of her being the 1st Woman brought into that situation I forgave her—	Strong Gales & Cloudy Wr—People all employed as before. Sent Party's out to different parts of the Island to search after Jas Robinson who has been missing since his returning from Ball Bay Yesterday. In the Eveng the Partys returned without any tidings of him—
Friday	16th	Do	good landg here but a great Surf in Ball Bay this Wind bearing right in—		Do Wr with heavy Squalls of Wind at 6 AM Sent out another party to find Jas Robinson at 8 they returned with him he being much fatigued & hungred not having had any thing to eat since the 14th in the Morng. People all employed as before—
Saturday	17th	Do	Do		Do Wr Squalls as before. People employed Workg on their Gardens.
Sunday	18th	NE	Not the least surf. A surf still running in Ball bay which prevents our launching the Boat.		Fresh Gales & Clear Weather. at 10 AM performed Divine Service & Baptised the new born Infant by the Name of Norfolk, he being the first born on the Island—
Monday	19th	NE	Very good Landing-		Strong Gales of Wind. 12 Men Turning up Cleared Ground in Arthurs Vale for sowing Wheat on, Both Sawpits at Work, 3 Carpenters about the Commandants house, one Man making an inlosure for keeping poultry. There being but little surf sent the Coble men to Ball Bay to bring the Coble round at 2 she landed here & hauled her up. Punished Thos Watts alias Watson with 2 dozen Lashes for contemptuously neglecting going to Work on being ordered by the Corpl of Marines 1 Man Lame—
Tuesday	20th	North East	Do	The Caterpillars are very Troublesome destroying every vegetable as fast as it comes up & likewise eating off the pods & seeds of those which are preserving for seed—which I imagine is owing to the great drought—	Fresh Gales. People all employed as before at daylight sent the Coble to fish at 11 she returned with only 10—Cut a small patch of Barley, sowed in [*] 1 Man Lame—
Wednesday	21st	North	Do		Do & dark Cloudy Weather with a few light Showers of Rain. At noon the 12 men employed in Clearing away Ground, compleated their Task of Clearing & turning up two acres in 28 days. they began 29th December & their term finishes on Sunday Monday will be given them as some of the People has been lame—Carpenters & Sawyer as before. Sent the Coble out to fish she returned with only 20 Issued them to a part of the people 4 lb of Fish in Lieu of ½ a lb of Pork—
Thursday	22nd	NNW	Very good Landing.		Very Strong Gales of Wind & Cloudy Weather, Carpenters & Sawyers employed as before—1 Man Lame
Friday	23rd	WNW.	Do		Do Weather with very heavy rain, during the night & day, Carpenters employed as before. At noon read the Articles of War, As well as the Rules & Regulations for the Marines when serving on shore—1 Man lame.
Saturday	24th	West, Variable	Not the least Surf.		Moderate Breezes & very pleasant Weather. at 9 AM Robert Webb Gardner came to the Commandant & informed him that a plan was laid by the Convicts to take the Island. The Circumstances attending which are contained in the different depositions, Confined Noah Mortimer, Wm Francis & Samuel Pickett Convicts as principals, also Jno Thompson Convict for stealing Indian Corn, off the Corn growing in Arthurs Vale. Removed the Sergt & Corporals house from the Water side to its place next the Surgeons, pitchednote the Marines & free People round the Store houses & caused every person to come in out of the Country.
Sunday	25th	Not the least Surf	variable		Moderate Breezes & dark Gloomy Weather with frequent Showers of very heavy rain. Sent the Coble round to Ball Bay to bring every thing belonging to those settled there. at 11 AM Performed Divine Service—
Monday	26th	A very great Surf	ENE	Administred the oath of Fidelity & allegiance to the Officers Marines & Free people.	Strong Gales of Wind & heavy rain most part of the day during the Morning examined Witnesses on oath respecting the Plot laid to take the Island &c. After which discharged Noah Mortimer (who did not appear to be so guilty as S. Pickett & W. Francis) keeping Irons on him as also on Thos Watson. they being both in some measure Guilty. In the afternoon Employed the Convicts Cutting down trees & opening an avenue round the Commandts house. Punished J. Jones Convict with 3 dozn lashes for insolence & contempt to Messrs Donavan & Jamison
Tuesday	27th	Do	NE		Fresh Gales & dark Cloudy Weather with heavy rain at times. Convicts Employed Clearing away & Cutting down trees to enlarge the ground where the houses are built, in order to place the Convicts by themselves. 2 Men Sick—began gathering the Indian Corn that was sowed in [*] 2 Men Sick.
Wednesy	28th	ENE	A great Surf	I am very much of opinion that this is the rainy Season As the Rain was very violent & frequent when we first came here in March—	Moderate Gales & very dark Cloudy Weather with almost constant Showers of Rain. People Employed Clearing away round the houses &c. Punished Joseph Long Convict with one dozen lashes for leaving his work & absenting himself without leave. 5 Men blinded by the Maple Sap getting into their Eyes—
Thursday	29th	NE	Do		Strong Gales & very dark Cloudy Weather, People all employed as before. 4 Men sick & Blinded. Incessant rain all day—
Friday	30th	Do	The Surf very heavy		Do Wr with rain as before, People all employed as before. 2 Men sick—
Saturday	31st	NNW	Surf Decreasg fast.		Strong Gales of Wind & Cloudy Weather, People all employed as before 2 Men sick, at Noon punished Wm Thompson Convict with 50 Lashes for stealing Indian Corn from the Plantation. A heavy rain in ye night

February 1789

                                                         

Week Days	Mo Days	Winds	Landing & Surf	Observation &c	Transactions on Norfolk Island state of Wr &c
Sunday	1st	North	good Landing		Do Wr with very heavy rain during the whole Day & night, 2 Men sick, at 11 AM performed Divine Service & read the Articles of War.
Monday	2nd	NW	Do	Almost every Vegitable seeding is growing out again by the late Rains, & the Trees are covered with fresh leaves—	Very heavy Gales of Wind & Strong torrents of Rain. Very little Work done on Account of the Weather 1 Man ss.
Tuesday	3rd	Do	Do		Do Wr with less Rain. Convicts employed opening the ground round where the houses are built in order to erect more houses there. The late Wet Weather has almost spoiled the whole of the Barley cut the 20th Jany.
Wednesday	4th	NE	Very good Landing.	The Indian Corn & plants growing in different places has received much damage by the Constant rain.	Very Strong Gales of Wind with Almost constant Showers of very heavy rain, which was so violent As to prevent any work—2 Men lame
Thursday	5	North	A great Surf	I think it will be necessary for the future to sow the Indian Corn, in June or July at the latest, in order to get it off the Ground in December, before the rainy Wr setts in.	Do Wr with constant torrents of Rain. No work could be done on account of the very heavy rain. 2 Men lame
Friday	6th	Do	Do	The Barley cut on the 20th Jany is quite spoiled by the constant rain—	Excessive heavy Gales of Wind & very heavy Squalls of Wind & torrents of Rain during the Whole night, with very Severe Lightning, & but little Thunder. More Moderate Towards Noon—People employed Felling Trees & Clearing away round the houses—2 Men Lame—
Saturday	7th	NNW.	Very good Landing	The Swamp is quite overflowed by the late heavy rains—	Strong Gales of Wind & very heavy torrents of rain in Squalls. People employed building up Hutts
Sunday	8th	West	Do		Fresh Gales with some showers of heavy rain at 10 A.M. Performed Divine Service—
Monday	9	Varble	Do		Moderate Breezes & dark Cloudy Wr the People all employed building up their houses & getting Timber to the Pitts. Punished Thos Watson Convict with 3 dozen Lashes & Josh Robinson Convict with 1 Dozen, for absenting themselves from their Quarters after 10 at night with a bad intention. 2 Men Lame. at daylight sent the Coble outside the Reef to Fish at 11 She returned with 30 fish issued them to the People 3lb of Fish for ½ a lb of Pork. 8 Men unserved—
Tuesday	10th	NNE	Bad Landing.		Strong Gales & Dark Gloomy Weather, with very heavy Squalls of Wind & Rain, in the intervals people employed building up their houses One Carpenter boarding in the Granary. 2 Men Lame—
Wednesday	11th	Do	Less Surf	Sent the Coble fishing at noon she returned served 3 lbs of Fish for ½ a lb of Pork	Do Wr & Squalls more Violent than Yesterday People employed building up their houses & 2 Men ss.
Thursday	12th	Do	Do		Fresh Gales & Cloudy Wr with some very heavy squalls of rain. People all employed as before 2 Men Lame
Friday	13th	NW	Do	This is the first dry day, that we have had since the 24th of Jany having had for the most part torrents of Rain.	Fresh breezes & Cloudy Wr with 2 Showers of Rain sent ye Coble out to fish at noon she returned with 30, issued them 3 lb of fish for 1 lb of Beef
Saturday	14th	ESE	Bad Landing.		Very heavy Gales of Wind. The People finished all their houses 1 Man Lame.
Sunday	15	East	Do		Moderate Breezes & very serene pleasant Weather at 10 A.M. performed divine Service. Samual Pickett and Wm Francis were forgiven by the Commandant, but ordered to wear light Irons untill the Governor in Chiefs orders should be received respecting them. 1 Man Lame
Monday	16th	East	Very good Landing		Moderate Breezes & very serene pleasant Weather on getting up the Ground two of Flour Cask from under the Surgeons house found a Great Quantity of Water had lodged during the yrs rains On Opening the Cask found the Flour in them very much damaged, As Many of the Casks were like dough, Cannot ascertain the Quantity lost till the whole 36 Casks which were in Ground Store are opened People Employed Felling Trees Sawyers Sawing 2 Carpenters Variously—2 Men Lame.
Tuesday	17th	Do	Not the least Surf.		Do Wr Employed Airing & Cleaning the damaged Flour 2. Men Lame.
Wednesday	18th	Do	Do		Do Wr 12 Men at Task Work, in Clearing away Ground, Sawyers at Task Work also 4 Men bringing in flax plant &c for building a house for the Corporal. at Daylight sent the Coble without the Reef to fish at noon she returned with 40 fish issued them 4 lb of fish for ½ a lb. of Pork— 1 Man Lame—
Thursday	19th	NE	Do		Do Wr & very hazey with some drizling Rain, People all employed as before. 2 Men Lame.
Friday	20th	Variable	A very heavy Surf		Little wind & very Sultry close foggy weather People all employed as before at task Work—
Saturday	21st	East	Do		Do Wr People Empd Working for themselves In the afternoon the Marines & Militia fired 15 Rounds of Powder
Sunday	22nd	East	Very Bad Landing.		Moderate Breezes & dark Cloudy Wr with a few Showers of light rain, at 10 A.M. performed Divine Service 1 Man Lame—
Monday	23rd	NE	Surf decreasing—		Do Wr with Rain as before 12 Men employed at Task Work Carpenters building a house for the Serjeant of Marines 12 feet by eight. Sawyers at Task Work, & the rest of the people bringing in Flax plant for thatching & Poles for paling—
Tuesday	24th	North	Scarce any Surf.		Moderate Breezes & dark Cloudy Wr with almost constant light rain. People all employed as before.
Wednesday	25th	NE East	Do Increasing after Noon.		First part Light Winds & dark Cloudy Weather with Constant Torrants of very heavy Rain. after noon, had very heavy Gales of Wind with Rain as before, Sent the Coble out to fish at noon she returned with 40 fish Issued them 3lb of fish for ½lb of Pork—People all employed as before—No work today—
Thursday	26th	ESE untill 11 AM then South at eight PM SSW.	The Surf rose to a very great height & broke most tremendously. The Sea between the Island's ran Mountains high, very often hiding Nepeans Island entirely—		At Midnight very heavy Gales of wind & torrents of rain, the Wind at ESE & increasing in violence at 4 A.M. several pines of 180f in length & [*] yds in girth were blown up by the roots, one of which fell on the Pigs Stye & killed a Sow with a litter of Pigs belonging to the Commandant from 4 A.M. till Noon the Wind increased to a dreadfull hurricane, with deluges of Rain Pigs & livestock, Trees of the largest kinds were blowing down every instant tearing up their Roots & Rocks with them, leaving, beds of 10 feet deep & the longest & largest Roots I ever saw, some of these very large trees were thrown by the violence of the Wind at some distance from where they grew, those pines which were strong enough to resist the force of the Wind bent their tops very near the Ground, Nothing but horror & desolation presented itself on every side which can only be equalled or conceived but by those who have seen the dreadfull effects of a Hurricane in the West Indies, what added more to the Horror of the Scene was a very large live oak tree being blown on the Granary, which dashed it to pieces & stove a Number of the Casks of Flour, but by the General Activity of every Person, the Flour Indian Corn & Stores, were in a Short time Collected & removed to the Commandants house with the loss of about half a Cask of Flour, & some small Stores. At Noon the Gale blew with the utmost Fury & violence sweeping, Woods of trees up by the Roots & carrying some of them to a considerable distance, at one oclock there were as many Trees fell round the Settlement as would have employed 50 Men a fortnight to fall, The Swamps & Vale were quite overflowed by 11 oclock & had every appearance of a large navigable river It was a fortunate Circumstance that on the discovery of the Plot a great number of Pine & live oak Trees were falled round the Houses, to open the Ground, had not this been done all ye houses would have been destroyed & a Number of lives must have been lost, but only one man received a Contusion on his Hip by a branch of a Pine falling on him The Gardens, at this Settlement were quite destroyed the Cabbages Turnips & other Plants were torn up by the Roots & those few which withstood the hurricane appeared as if they had been burnt—The Sugar cane growing here is much damaged altho' Supported by a Stick & screened by a high Fence. at 3 oclock the Wind having veered to South it moderated & Continued Moderating untill the next day—Ab't 4 oclock P.M. The Gardner with 2 Convicts & one Convict Woman came in from the plantation in Arthurs Vale having had several narrow escapes, by the Fall of trees & the great depth of Water in many places, Their Houses which were built & framed with Strong logs were all Blown down. The devastation done in the Vale is beyond belief nor can the dreadfull effects of the Hurricane there be described, whole Woods being blown up by the Roots & many Trees blownnote on the 3 Acres of Cleared Ground, The violence & Direction of the Wind is marked by all the Trees on the hills on the Right hand side of the Vale being blown down & very little damage being done on the left hand side several Clumps of very large trees which were left Standing on the flat part of the Vale were torn up by the roots & an acre of Indian Corn which would have been fit to gather in 3 Weeks, & was in a very promising state was all laid flatt & overflowed some feet by the Water, every Thing growing in the Garden is almost quite destroyed. There is no appearance on any part of the Island of a Gale of Wind of this Kind having ever happned before, It may be said that the Vale & the Spot where the Settlement is made, was a direction for the Wind, But the great damage & the number of Trees blown up by the Roots in places which were not cleared at all sufficiently proves that Hurricanes of this Kind are not frequent.
Friday	27th	SW	A Very heavy Surf.		Fresh Gales with passing Showers of Rain, Every Person in the Settlement employed earthing up the Indian Corn blowed down Yesterday, & about some other necessary work—killed a Young boar belonging to ye Crown which was bruised by the Falling of a pine on the pig stye Yesterday, servednote out to the Officers & a part of the people in Lieu of Salt Pork—The Swamp is entirely overflowed—
Saturday	28th	Do	A great Surf but decreasing.		Do Wr & Cloudy. People all employed as Yesterday. The Swamp continues overflowed

March 1789

                                                               

Week Days	Mo Days	Winds	Landing & Surf	Observation &c	Transactions on Norfolk Island state of Wr &c
Sunday	1st	Do	Sea & Surf decreasg		Fresh Gales & very Cloudy Wr did not perform divine Service the Commandants house being full of Flour. The Swamp is still much overflowed.
Monday	2nd	Do	Very good Landing.	One Female Child born— At 4 PM the Supply weighed & stood off & on for the night lighted a Fire—	Moderate Breezes in the Eveng Fresh Gales at day light perceived His Majesties Armed Tender Supply standing in to the Roads. Made the Alarm, & kept the Marines & Militia under Arms. Sent the Coble with Mr. Dunavon onbd the Supply, when he got onboard dismissed the Marines &c. In the Course of the day got most part of the Convicts provisions & Stores from onboard the Supply.
Tuesday	3rd	ENE	An increasing Surf	Reced one ½ barrell of Gunpowder— 4 prs of Pistols. Pistol Flints Musquet Flints	Moderate Breezes & Pleasant Wr At Daylight received onshore one turn of Provisions An increasing Surf coming on did not receive any more for the day. 6 Men at Task work Sawyers sawing for Port Jackson
Wednesy	4th	NE	Very good Landing		Do & Very pleasant Weather, received all the people & provisions, as also ye two three Pounders. People all employed as before—
Thursday	5th	East	good Landing did not make the Signal—		Fresh Breezes & Cloudy Wr. The landing to day is good, but not advisable The Supply anchored in the Road at 10 in the morng & at 2 P.M. Weighed & stood off & on People all employed as before—
Friday	6th	Do	A bad Surf		Modt Breezes & pleasant Wr The Supply standing off & on & her boats Sweeping for her anchor People all empd at Task Work & bringing in Wood &c for erecting the houses for those who came last
Saturday	7	Do	No Surf		Do & very pleasant Weather In the Morning sent the Coble off to the Supply & reced onshore all the ordnance Stores belonging to the two, two pounders & one half barrell of Gun powder. People employed working for themselves.
Sunday	8	ESE	Bad Landing.		Fresh breezes & Cloudy. The Supply standing off & on all day, at 10 A.M. The Surgeon examined all the people who came by the Supply, at 11 performed Divine Service—
Monday	9th	East	Very good Landing.		Do Wr 12 Men Employed at Task work, those who Came last employed building their houses The Supply sweeping for her anchor I went off & dined onboard her.
Tuesday	10th	ENE	Do		Modr breezes & Cloudy. People employed as before sent a quantity of Plank onboard the Supply At 4 In the Afternoon His Majesties Armed Tender the Supply sailed hence for Port Jackson—
Wednesy	11th	East	good Landing		Fresh breezes People all employed as before & Clearing away about the houses. 1 Man ss.
Thursday	12th	SE	An increasing Surf		Do Wr & dark & Cloudy. Wind increasing, People employed variously this being a broken week 1 Man ss.
Friday	13th	ESE	A great Surf		Fresh Gales & dark Cloudy Weather, with a few showers of Small rain, People employed building their houses & one Sawpitt at Task Work Almost all the People who came last, are got into very comfortable Houses. 2 Men ss
Saturday	14th	East	A very great Surf		Fresh Gales & dark Cloudy Wr The People who arrived here by the Supply are completely housed & under Cover. The People Employed working for themselves The Marines & Militia fired 9 rounds of Powder—2 Men ss—
Sunday	15th	ENE	The Surf decreasg		Moderate Breezes & pleasant Weather. at 11 A.M. Performed divine Service 1 Man sick & one Man Lame.
Monday	16th	Do	An Increasing Surf.		Fresh Breezes & Cloudy, Squally Weather. 24 Men at Task work in the Vale, clearing away 4 Acres of Ground Sawyers at Task work 2 Marines Lame, & one Convict Sick.
Tuesday	17th	NE	A Bad Surf		Very Strong Gales of Wind & dark Cloudy Weather with some Showers of Rain. The People all employed as Yesterday 2 Marines Lame, & one Convict, Sick
Wednesy	18th	Do	Good Landing but a great Sea without		Do Wr at 8 A.M. sent the Coble without the Reef to fish, she returned immediately there being too great a noteSea, & it blowing hard. People all employed as before—2 Marines Lamed, & one Man Sick
Thursday	19th	NE	Very good Landing but a great Sea without		Fresh Gales & Squalley, 30 Men at Task Work clearing away Ground &c the Water Course in Arthurs Vale—at 8 in the Morning sent the Coble without the Reef to fish, at nine She returned not being able to ride at her Killock, 2 Marines Lame—
Friday	20th	Do	Do		Do Wr with some Showers of hard Rain.—The People all employed as before—2 Marines Lame
Saturday	21st	ENE	Do		Do Wr with some Gusts of Wind—People employed Working for themselves 2 Marines Lame—
Sunday	22nd	Do	Do		Do Wr with some heavy Showers of Rain during the night, at 7 A.M. confined Thomas Watson, Convict, for having stolen 3 lbs of flour from Wm Mariner Convict—at 11 A.M. performed Divine Service 2 Marines & 3 Convicts Lamed—
Monday	23rd	SE	Do	2 Marines Lame & one Sick—	Do Wr with Rain as before, 30 Men at Task Work clearing away Ground in the Vale Sawyers Sawing Boards for Roofing the Surgeon & Midshipmans houses. At 7 A.M. assembled every person, the Marines & Free people under arms & examined Witnesses on oath respecting The Theft committed by Thomas Watson finding him, guilty. he was continued in Confinement to be sent to Port Jackson there to be tryed
Tuesday	24th	SE	Very good Landing.		Strong Breezes & Cloudy Weather, at daylight sent the Coble without the Reef to fish at Noon she returned with 20, issued them out to a part of the Officers &c in Lieu of one lb of Salt beef deducted from each Mans allce for 3 lbs of Fish—People all employed as before 2 Marines Lame & one Sick 1 Convict Sick—
Wednesday	25th	SW	Not the least Surf		Moderate Breezes & Very Pleasant Serene Wr People all employed as before, at 6 AM. sent the Coble without the Reef to fish, at Noon she returned with 60 fish, issued them to the people to compleat Yesterdays Serving at ye Rate of 3 lb of Fish for 1 lb of Salt Beef, at 3 PM punished James Davis Convict with two Dozen Lashes for Throwing the Fish away Contemptuously 1 Marine Lame & one Convict invalided—
Thursday	26th	NE	Do		Little Wind & dark Cloudy Wr with servl Showers of Rain People all employed as before at daylight Sent the Coble without the Reef to fish at noon she returned with 60 issued them to ye People 3 lb of fish in lieu of ½ a lb of Pork—
Friday	27th	NE East EbS	Very good Landing		Moderate Breezes with dark Gloomy Wr People all employed as before, 3 Winnowing the Seed Wheat which is much injured by the Weevil— 1 Marine Lame & 2 Convicts Sick.
Saturday	28th	Varible	Do		Do Breezes & very pleasant hot Weather, The People employed Working at their Gardens &c. some Employed getting the Weevils out of the Seed Wheat. 1 Marine Lame
Sunday	29th	So	Do		Do Wr Sent the Coble out to fish at noon she returned with 40 fish Served almost the whole with 9 lb of fish each man for 1 lb of Beef 1 Marine & 2 Convicts Lame
Monday	30	SW	An increasing Surf	Carpenters began framing a Storehouse of 24 feet Long by Sixteen wide 1 Marine & Convict Blacksmith making Fish Hooks, inside bars for doors, Handle for mounting another Grindstone	Fresh Gales with some passing showers of rain. People all employed at Task Work Died one of Governments Sows, on opening her found she had been Stabbed which had caused an inflammation of the Intestines This amongst a number of other acts of atrocity distinguish the Convicts here as an act of hardened Miscreants
Tuesday	31st	NE	Bad Landing & Swell in the Offing	I was this day told that one of the Convicts had found out the bark of a tree fit for making lines or Rope, on examing it I found it (as far as I can at present Judge) very proper for the purpose of making Lines Ropes or Cloths. It in many respects answer the descrip given of the Chinese Mulbery paper, by Capt Cooke of which the Inhabitants of Otaheite make their Cloths—On Trial we find that this bark will answer every temporary purpose of tying, but as it very soon rots when Exposed to the Weather it will not answer to be worked—	Fresh Gales & dark Cloudy Weather with an Appearance of Rain The people all Employed as before. The Sugar cane which was planted soon after I landed, being in a very bad place & much exposed to blighting winds, I this day shifted it into the Vale, & found there was a produce of 106 Canes from four Canes planted out—Gathered the remainder of the Indian Corn which was much damaged by the Hurricane 1 Man ss & 1 Lame—1 Marine & Convict Blacksmith as before

April 1789

                                                             

Week Days	Mo Days	Winds	Landing & Surf	Observation &c	Transactions on Norfolk Island state of Wr &c
Wednesy	1st	NE	A very heavy Surf.		Very Strong Gales of Wind & dark Cloudy Weather with some showers of Rain, People all employed as before—2 Men ss 1 Marine & Convict Blacksmiths Employed as before at 7 P.M. Fired a 3 pounder as a direction for two Marines who had lost themselves in the Woods. at 8 P.M. they returned having heard the Gun.
Thursday	2nd	NE	Do		Very Strong Gales of Wind & Cloudy Wr People Employed as before. Died a Sow of Governments the apparent cause of it was occassioned by eating a quantity of the Fern root—Sowed ¾ of an Acre of Ground with Wheat. A Very heavy Sea runs in the Bay—
Friday	3rd	NNE	Very good Landing.		Fresh Gales & Cloudy People all employed at Task Work at 8 A.M. Sent the Coble without the Reef to fish at noon she retd without having caught any—sent them to fish behind ye Reef in order to compleat ye Survey of the 29th March which was compleated—
Saturday	4th	Do	Do		Do Wr People employed at their Gardens &c. Too much Sea without to send the Coble out—
Sunday	5th	North	Not a break of a Surf.		Strong Gales & Dark Gloomy Weather. at 5 PM. came on heavy rain with some Thunder & Lightning. at 10 AM. performed Divine Service. Thos Jones Convict acquainted the Commandant that his Term of Transportn expired this Day, on which the Commandant declared him to be a freeman & at liberty to work for the Crown, or Individuals untill His Excellency the Governor in Chiefs order should be received respecting him.note
Monday	6th	+ Varble	but little Surf.	Sent the Coble out & served 9lb of Fish for ½ a lb of Pork—	Moderate breezes & very pleasant Weather 30 Men employed at Task Work. Sowed 1 Acre of Wheat in Arthurs Vale, Carpenters building a Store house & Sawyers Sawing for it Boards—
Tuesday	7th	Nory	Very good Landing.	Upward of 80 Large hooks have been broken & near 3 dozen of Lines carried away by the very large Sharks & Rock Cod which abound here, The largest hooks with links are quite necessary	Do Wr People all employed at Task Work Carpenters at Task Work building a Store house. at daylight sent the Coble to fish at Noon she brought a quantity but not sufficient to serve all hands. at ye rate of 3 lb of Fish for 1 lb of Beef
Wednesday	8th	Varble	Do		Moderate Breezes & very pleasant Weather, at day light sent the Coble without the Reef to fish at Noon she retd with just sufficient to serve the people that were not served Yesterday All the Hooks & a large line carried away by very large fish. at 4 P.M. punished Noah Mortimer Convict with 5 Dozen Lashes for refusing to Work, on being ordered by the overseer, this is the sixth offence of the Kind he has been guilty of
Thursday	9th	ESE	Do		Do Wr & rather Sultry, Got the Forge up again & employed Jno Willamson Marine, Making Fish-hooks, ye large fish having carried away all the hooks which were brought & sent here as also six made since. People all empd at Task Work—
Friday	10	NE	Do		Fresh Gales & dark Cloudy Weather, this being Good Friday no work was done & performed divine Service.—
Saturday	11th	NE	Not the least Surf	Blacksmith finished six hooks & Chains for fishing—10 of the Convicts were lost in the Woods owing to the darkness of the Wr. Fired 2 Great Guns for them at 9 they returned being directed by the Guns—	Strong Gales of Wind & hard Rain most part of the day. 3 of the Tasks finished—sent the Coble out but it blowing so very strong was obliged to return immediately.
Sunday	12th	Do NW	Do	The Beans & many other things growing at the Garden in the Vale, is quite Blighted by the WNW Wind, which confirms me in the Idea of not sowing any Garden seed before June. It is very unfortunate that I am obliged to sow all the potatoes as they grow out fast, & to keep them would be loosing them entireley & I think there is a great chance of their not doing well at this Season, but every precaution will be taken for their preservation.	Very Strong Gales of Wind & some very heavy gusts accompanied with heavy torrents of Rain at 11 A.M. Performed divine Service 1 Man ss.
Monday	13th	S.b.W.	A Very heavy Surf.		Very heavy Gales of Wind & the Gusts frequent & very Strong, at 3 A.M. it came on to blow much harder & ye Wind shifted from WNW to S.W: There being four pines left standing which made it dangerous for the people to Stay in their houses called every one up & fell the above four pines. The People empd a part at Task Work & a part Sowing 3 Acres of Wheat, with 4 Bushell & one peck of Seed—This is ye upper patch.
Tuesday	14th	SSE	Do		Strong Gales of Wind with Squalls, Two Gangs Clearing away ground at the Garden & ye other 3 Gangs time is not yet Expired, put one of them to dig out a Cellar under the new Storehouse for containing Salt provisions.
Wednesy	15th	South	A great Surf.		Strong Gales of Wind & Cloudy Weather with some Squalls of heavy Rain the People all Employed as before This is the first Southerly wind which has blown with any degree of Force & from the 6th of March (ye day I landed) to the 1st of April we had no Southerly winds which makes me imagine that the Southerly & Westerly Winds are not frequent in the Summer not having Experienced one Gale from that Quarter during the Last Summer—
Thursday	16th	SSE	Do		Do Wr with Squalls as before, 3 Gangs employed sowing 3 Acres of Ground in the Vale & one bringing in Stakes & Flax for repairing the Guard house &c. The Weather is rather sharp & Cold. 2 Men ss.
Friday	17th	SE	A decreasing Surf		Moderate Gales & Squalley Weather. 2 Gangs bringing in Flax &c for rebuilding the Guard house & 2 Gangs getting Timber off The Hill— 2 Men ss—
Saturday	18th	Do	Do		Do Wr with some showers. People Employed Working for themselves,
Sunday	19th	ESE Calm.	Very good Landing.		Moderate Breezes & Warm Weather. at daylight sent the Coble without the Reef to fish at Noon she returned with sufficient to serve ½ the people. at 11 AM performed Divine Service—
Monday	20th	NE	Not the least Surf—	Reced Fish enough by the Coble to compleat the Serving of Yesterday.	Do Wr with Clear pleasant Serene Weather & rather Sultry. 3 Gangs of 6 Men each clearing away ground, in the Vale 4 Men assisting the Surgeon & Midshipman in clearing their Garden Ground &c. Sawyers at Task Work & Blacksmiths making bolts & hinges for the Commandants house. Carpenters about the Commandants house as there is not a sufficiency of Boards cut for their going on about the Store house. Levingstone making a Spinning Wheel for making fishing lines.
Tuesday	21st	NNW	Do	Eight acres of Wheat is up & has a very fine appearance vizt seven acres in the Vale & one in the Back field—	Fresh Gales & Cloudy Weather at daylight sent the Coble to fish at noon she returned with fish sufficient to serve a great part of the people in lieu of ½ a lb of Pork—The People all employed as before. Carpenters making a roller for rolling Wheat.
Wednesday	22nd	NW WSW	Not the Least Surf	I shall be obliged to break up the first gang, as The Shingle maker is in it. & as it will be necessary to make the landing Place as commodious & safe as possible shall not form that Gang again as they are six of the best convicts on the Island. & will do a great deal of necessary Work in the farming Way & still be kept at Task Work—for this month to come it will be necessary to keep them at short Tasks on acct. of Clearing away the Reef at Low water.—sent the Coble out she brought fish enough to compleat Saturdays Serving	Very Strong Gales of Wind & dark Cloudy Wr with some very heavy Squalls of Rain—at daylight sent the Coble out to fish & received by her a Sufficiency to serve the people—Empd 4 Men working for 2 hours at knocking off the outer part of the Reef to facilitate the entrance of Boats. One Man making Shingles to cover the Store house & 2 others cross cutting
Thursday	23rd	S.W.	A great Surf		Moderate Gales with some heavy Squalls of Rain, People all employed as before
Friday	24th	Do	But little Surf.		Moderate breezes & Clear Wr People all empd as before. at ½ Ebb employed Six men to knock away the outer part of the Reef till ½ tide.
Saturday	25th	WSW	Do		Do Wr People employed Working for themselves at Noon sett a party of Hands about clearg away ye outer part of the Reef till ½ flood. 2 Men ss—Sent the Coble out & reced sufft to serve most part of the people.
Sunday	26	Do	Not any Surf.		Very pleasant Serene fine Weather. at 10 AM performed Divine Service —1 Convict Lame. Confined John Williams Marine for breeding a Quarrell & fighting with one of his Comrades in a Convicts house.
Monday	27th	Do, WSW	Do, Not the least Surf	On the 29th I found that 30 Bundles of Flax put into Soak in Octr was sufficiently rotted to pass it thro' the Hackle broke off 4 Men to Clean it. I think that had there been a large pitt made & a great quantity of the Flax put in, that it would have been in a state of preparation much sooner— I mean to let it remain 3 days longer in the Water & on Monday next to make the Women Wash it in running Water, & afterwards dry it & then pass it thro' the Hackles.	Do Wr at 10 AM Assembled the Marines & Free people under arms; under the Flaggstaff on which the Colours were hoisted & punished John Williams Marine with 1 Dozen Lashes for Challenging his Comrade, & unsoldier like behaviour & one Dozen Lashes Striking & fighting with his Comrade in a Convicts house. 3 Gangs at Task Work Clearing Ground, four Convicts assisting the Mid. & Surgeon—one Gang making Shingles & Clearing away the landing place at ye lowwater Sawyers Sawing board &c for the Store house & Carpenters Employed Variously—
Tuesday	28th	Do	Do		Moderate Breezes & Cloudy. The people all employed as before at Day light sent the Coble out to fish at Noon she returned with sufficient to serve all but eight—1 Man Lame & one Sick.
Wednesday	29th	Nory ± Varb.	Do		Do Wr had three very heavy Squalls of Rain from the Westward, People all employed as before 1 Man Lame & 1 Sick the Coble brought in fish enough to serve for this Week—
Thursday	30th	East	Do	very warm Weather	Do Wr People all employed as before—The Weather has been very pleasant all this Month, & this day is as warm as the midst of Summer, altho' it cannot be said the we have experienced any Sultry Weather. 1 Man Lame.

May 1789

                                                               

Week Days	Mo Days	Winds	Landing & Surf	Observation &c	Transactions on Norfolk Island state of Wr &c
Friday	1st	NW.	Do		Dark Gloomy Weather, in the Evening had very heavy Showers of Rain, The People all employed as before 1 Man Lame
Saturday	2nd	Varble	Very good Landing	On ye 7th I observed all the Wheat which had a very fine appearce was blighted in many places particularly where thinnest sown on looking into it found it was entirely covered by a small caterpillar which had eaten off ye stems that occasioned ye blades dying, it is rather alarming; as I did hope by the Wheat being sown at this time of ye Year that nothing would have infested it.	Little Wind & dark Cloudy Weather with heavy Showers of Rain— People working for themselves—1 Man Lame. & 1 Sick
Sunday	3rd	W.S.W.	Indifferent Landing.		Moderate Breezes & Cloudy Weather at 10 AM Performed divine Service 2 Convicts Lame & one Sick.
Monday	4th	WNW	Bad Landing		Do Wr 3 Gangs Clearing away Ground, one Gang Rolling Wheat, one Gang Sawing making & Drawing Shingles, 2 Sawpits, sawing Weather boarding for ye Store house 4 Men assisting the Midshipman & Surgeon in clearing away &c. 2 Men & all the Women washing Flax. 2 Convts Lame
Tuesday	5th	West	Indifferent Landing.		Do Wr during ye night & till 8 in the Morng had very heavy rain, People all empd as Yesterday—1 Man Lame
Wednesday	6th	North	Bad Landing.		At 8 P.M. ye Wind shifted to W.S.W. had Fresh Gales & Cloudy Weather with rain all the Day. People all employed as before—2 Convicts Sick & one Lame
Thursday	7th	WSW.	Do		Very heavy Gales of Wind & dark Cloudy Weather with almost Continual Heavy Rain 2 Convicts Lame & 3 Sick—
Friday	8th	SW	Do		Very Strong Gales of Wind & dark Cloudy Wr with heavy rain People all employed as before. 1 Convict Lame—
Saturday	9th	South	A very heavy Surf	The immense quantity of Catterpillers that have settled on the Wheat is surprizing & hardly to be credited as they may be gathered off in handsfull. I am much afraid that the total destruction of the Wheat will follow, which will be an afflicting Circumce as I have only eight Bushell of seed reserved on the 9 I sent every person out to cut off the tops of 3 Acres which are the worst & hoping that their treading will kill some of them but I much the fear that the evil will not be removed. It is extraordy that nothing is hurt or touched in the Garden which lies between two patches of Wheat one of 3 Acres & ye other of 4 which is covered.	The Gale is Still very violent, accompanied with heavy Squalls of Rain. Sent all the Convicts into the Vale to Cut off the tips of the Wheat. 2 Convicts Lame. punished Elizh Pipkin Convict with 3 dozen for infamous beh[aviour]
Sunday	10th	SE	Do		Strong Gales at times very Violent. at 11 AM Performed Divine Service.
Monday	11	Little wind & Variable	Surf Increasg	Sent all the Women with Straw to beat the Ground where one acre of Wheat is quite eat close to the earth. An astonishing number were killed but in two hours after the Caterpillars were as numerous as ever. reced Fish enough to serve to ye People in lieu of 1 lb of beef—	Moderate Breezes & pleasant Weather a Frost in the Morning. at daylight Punished Wm Dring Convict with 3 dozen Lashes for absenting himself from the Settlement without Leave. Assembled Every person belonging to Settlement Marines & Free people under arms & Examined Witnesses on Oath against Thos Watson Convict & a Prisoner for stealing a Shirt from James Williams Private Marine. 4 Gangs Clearing away ground in Arthurs Vale. one Gang making & Drawing Shingles Sawyers at Taskwork sawing boards for ye Storehouse & Carpenters building it, four Men assisting Do in putting [shoars?] under it &c, The [blades of ye] Wheat is entirely eat off by the blight or Caterpillars, which Cover the whole [surface of ye] ground.
Tuesday	12th	Varible in the NW	good Landing	I find this destructive Caterpillar is hatched from the Eggs of a Moth one species of which is about the size of a small Fly & the other is as large as a bee They Fly in a Cloud about sunsett & then deposit their Eggs which in the Morning covers the surface of the Ground on the [*]	Light winds & Variable with some heavy showers of Rain & dark Cloudy Weather. People all employed as before. 6 Men employed beating ye ground where the Wheat is eat away, with Turf beaters, to endeavor & kill ye Caterpillar. Reced Fish enough to serve half the people.
Wednesy	13th	Varble S.W.	Do A great Surf:	The Catterpillars are beginning in the upper three Acres, the other four acres being quite destroyed—they are also got into the garden	Moderate Gales & Cloudy Weather People all employed as before. Reced Fish enough to serve all hands In the Evening & night, had Strong Gales with some Rain.
Thursday	14th	From South to S.W.	Do		Very Strong Gales of Wind & Cloudy Weather all ye Tasks finished except one which began in ye middle of ye Month The Squalls heavy & very violent during ye Night—
Friday	15	SE	Do		Moderate & Cloudy Weather. All ye Tasks finished Ground now Clear in All belonging to the Crown 13 Acres. 1 Man ss & 2 Lame.
Saturday	16th	East	Good Landing		Do Wr People all employed working on their Gardens &c Sent ye Coble out to Fish at noon she returned with sufficient to serve most part of the People.
Sunday	17th	NE	Do		Do Wr Performed Divine Service
Monday	18th	NNE	good Landing	I do not think that beating the Wheat in order to kill the Caterpillar has answered any good end as in an hours time, they are as thick as ever. One only thing remains which is collecting all the Urine & mixing it with ashes (some who pretend to be farmers advise boiling it) & then Sprinkle or wash the Wheat & Vegitables with it but this, will take a long time to collect sufficient Urine for one Acre of ground however I have ordered & shall see the order enforced, that every person urines in tubs which are placed for that purpose, in the Camp & where the people work. I have ordered two men to collect it & boil it otherwise preparing it for laying on the Ground.	Light Winds & Cloudy Weather—6 Men employed Cutting a Road from hence to Cascade Bay. 12 Men beating down ye upper 3 Acres of Wheat (that is not quite destroyed) with Turf beaters, in order to destroy the Catterpillar if possible. 4 Clearing away Ground for putting the Vines &c in, that are expected here Sawyers & Carpenters employed about ye Store house & Blacksmiths Cutting & Splitting Wood for Charcoal. 1 Man Sick & 2 Lame. 1 Gang Splitting & drawing Shingles for covering the Store house.
Tuesday	19th	North	Do		Fresh breezes & Cloudy People all employed as Yesterday 3 Men ss & one Lame. Reced fish enough to serve most of the people.
Wednesday	20th	NNW	Do		Very Strong Gales & heavy rain during the whole day which prevented Working. 3 Men Sick & one Lame.
Thursday	21st	Do SW	very good Landing a High Surf.		In the Morng light breezes & pleasant Weather. sent ye Coble out to fish. at 10 Came on a very heavy Squall of Wind & Rain which brought the Wind Round to SW. when it blew a heavy Gale The Coble being to Leeward of the Island & not being able to pull up & the landing being dangerous, made ye Sigl for her to go to Ball Bay where she was hauled up. The People all employed as before except 6 Men Sent to Ball Bay to haul up ye Coble 3 Men ss & 1 Lame.
Friday	22nd	S.W.	A great Surf	The Urine & ashes have been tryed but without any Good effect whatever & the Caterpillears are times ten more numerous than ever, & grow very large some of them being an inch & half long. The Whole of the Corn is eat off Close to ye mold & I fear is quite destroyed—	Very heavy Gales of Wind & Squalls of Rain The Road to the Landing place & the Cascade, at Cascade Bay is finished. This being a broken Week People empd Variously 3 ss & 1 Lame
Saturday	23rd	Do	Do		The Gale very violent & Squalls of Wind with Rain—People employed Working for themselves—1 Man ss & 3 Lame. The air is very raw & Cold—
Sunday	24th	SW to South	Do		Do Wr with very heavy Squalls in the night at 10 AM performed Divine Service—1 ss & 3 Lame. Thos Jones who is become a Settler this day took possesion of a Lot of Ground near the Great Cascade—
Monday	25th	Do	Do		The Gale is still very Violent. One Gang empd removing some of the Marines houses in order to create a Wooden one where they stood. the rest of the Convicts employed mending the road to the Plantation in Arthurs Vale. 1 ss & 3 Lame.
Tuesday	26th	Varble WSW SSW	Do		had some very heavy Squalls of Wind & rain 3 Gangs Empd at Task Work in clearing away Cutting down & getting the Timber off 3 Acres of the Hill. The Carpenters finished the Store house & the 4th Gang finished their Task they have a week to Spare. 3 Men Lame & 2 Sick. 1 Blind.
Wednesday	27th	Variable SE	Bad Landing	As the Cockswain of the Coble has been obliged to under-goe a Surgical operation the boat cannot be launched from Ball-Bay before his recovery.	Strong Gales & heavy Squalls of Wind & Rain, People all employed as before. Carpenters Employed putting some additional Shores under the Store house—3 Lame 2 Sick & one Blind—
Thursday	28th	East.	good Landing.	As I perceive little or no alteration in the Caterpillars only that they grow much larger, it is my intention not to sow the remaining 3 bushell of Wheat Seed, untill ye latter end of June; As it may be, that these distructive Vermin may be gone & if they they remain all the Year, It will be a terrible Misfortune—note I much fear totally put a Stop to the raising of Wheat or Barley. I shall sew one acre in the Vale with Barley & Wheat drilling it in next Week—	Moderate Gales with a few Showers of Rain People all Employed as before 3 Men ss 2 Lame 1 Blind—
Friday	29th	Do	Do		Do & pleasant Weather. Sowed My Town Garden which contains [*] Rods of Ground with 3 Pints of Wheat which I drilled in as recommended in Tullsnote horse hoeing husbandry. I believe much less Seed would have ansd ye purpose—Shifted all the Provisions & most of the Stores into the Store house I find the Quantity of Flour now in Store will last eight Months, supposing all the Cask to be good, 3 Men Lame & 2 Sick—
Saturday	30th	NE	good Landing		Fresh Gales & dark Cloudy Weather people working in their Gardens &c. Sent Some Men round to Ball Bay to bring the Coble round. hauled Do up here 3 Lame & 1 Sick—
Sunday	31st	NE North SW	No Surf—		Very Strong Gales of Wind & dark Cloudy Wr with heavy rain during the whole day, till 4 PM when the Wind Shifted to SW 2 Lame 1 sick—

June 1789

                                                             

Week Days	Mo Days	Winds	Landing & Surf	Observation &c	Transactions on Norfolk Island state of Wr &c
Monday	1st	SW.	Very good Landing		Excessive heavy rain, during the night, at daylight Fresh breezes & Cloudy Wr 3 Gangs Cutting down Trees & Clearing 3 Acres of Ground on this Side the hill, The time of one Gang not Yet Expired. Sawyers Sawing Weather boarding &c Carpenters Time not Expired, Reced Fish enough by the Coble to compleat Last serving. 2 Lame one Sick
Tuesday	2nd	WbS.	A great Sea bad Landing.		Strong Gales of Wind & Cloudy Wr with frequent Squalls of very heavy rain, People all Employed as Yesterday 2 Lame & one sick—
Wednesday	3rd	WSW	Do		The Gale still continues with great Violence People all Employed As before, 2 Lame & 1 Sick. Killed a boar belonging to ye Crown & deducted ye Weight 40lb from My Allce of Salt provisions.
Thursday	4th	SW, South, West	Do, Very Bad Landing.		Fresh Gales & Cloudy with some Squalls of Rain at Sunrise hoisted ye Colours in observance of His Majesties Birth day, at Noon Assembled The Marines & Militia under arms on the Parade. The Male Convicts drawn up on one Side & ye Other A Guard brought ye Colours out & planted them on one of the Guns, fired 3 rounds of ye Great Guns & Small Arms after which the whole gave 3 Cheers. When they were dismissed, gave the Marines double allowance of Rum, to each of the Male Convicts ½ a pint & to each Woman one Pint of Wine at Night Bonfires were lighted & ye front Windows of my house was illuminated As this is the first Celebration of His Majesties Birth-day on this Island I forgave Thos Watson a Convict till now under confinement for theft which was proved on him & he was intended to be sent to Port Jackson to be tryed for it 2 Lame 1 Sick—NB 3 rounds of the Great Guns were fired on drinking His Majesties health after dinner; having invited all the Officers to dinner on the occassion
Friday	5th	South.	Bad Landg	The Caterpillars are quite gone & ye four acres of Wheat are shortly out again—3 Acres are quite destroyed—	Fresh Gales & Cloudy Wr People all employed as before I went to Cascade bay where the Water is as smooth as possible & not a break of a Surf on the beach—2 Lame 1 Sick—The Rod of Wheat sowed on the 29th May is up & has a very fine appearance—
Saturday	6th	SSE	good Landing		Little Wind & pleasant Weather, people working at their Gardens &c
Sunday	7th	East	Do		Do Wr at Daylight sent the Coble out at Noon she returned with only 7 Fish performed Divine Service—
Monday	8th	Do	No Surf		Very pleasant Weather 9 Gangs Clearing Ground, one Felling Timber & 3 Men making Drills for Wheat The Coble out all day & caught Only 6 Fish—Carpenters & Sawyers about a house for Mr Marley & ye Carpenters 2 sick & 2 Lame Women gathering Roots
Tuesday	9	NW	No Surf.		Variable Wr with Some very Strong Squalls of Wind & Rain at daylight sent the Coble out to fish at 10 The Wr having a very threatning appearance fired a 3 p[ounde]r for her to return reced only 7 Fish. Broke off one Gang in the Afternoon to enlarge the opening of ye reef 2 Sick & one Lame
Wednesdy	10th	WNW SW	Do A Very Light Surf		In the Morning Little Wind & Cloudy Wr Launched the Coble, but expecting bad Wr hauled her up again, People all Employed as before. 2 sick & 3 Lame sowed 1 Peck & one Gill of Wheat in half an acre drilling it in—The Coble Men Barking fallen pines to prevent the Worm eating into them—
Thursday	11th	SW to South	Do		Very Strong Gales of Wind & Cloudy Wr with freqt heavy Squalls of Wind & Rain People all Employed as before 2 ss. 3 Lame. Sowed ye Remainder of Plot hill with Wheat drilling it in, The Side sown containing 60 Rods & whole Quantity of Grain put in is 30 pints—Sowed also—18 pints of Marrow fat pease.
Friday	12th	South	Do		Do Wr with less frequent Squalls of Wind & Rain People all employed as before
Saturday	13th	WSW	A Very high Surf		Fresh Gales & Squally, at day light sat ye Supply in the Road. The Flood tide running Strong, a Great Swell & little Wind prevented her getting to Ball Bay untill 3 o'clock when I received my Despatches. 3 sick & 2 Lame. punished Mary Gamble with 3 dozen lashes for theft.
Sunday	14th	Little Winds E.S.E.	Bad landing till High Water.		Moderate Gales & Cloudy Wr the Surf high untill high Water at 3 P.M. then landed from the Supply Lieut John Cresswell & 14 Private Marines with a part of their Baggage.
Monday	15th	East	A Very high Surf.		Fresh Gales & Cloudy. Supply in the Road no boat could Land. 3 Gangs Clearing away one Turning up Ground Sawyers sawing boards for finishing one house for ye Commandg Officer of ye Troops.
Tuesday	16th	E.S.E	Do & Moderate		Moderate Gales & dark Cloudy Wr The Surf has been dangerous till, 3 P.M. then moderate enough to receive in shoar 2 boat loads of Baggage, belonging to the Troops People all employed as before, 2 sick & 3 Lame—
Wednesday	17th	Variable ENE	Very good Landing		Little Winds & very pleasant Wr in the Course of ye day received 5 Tunns of ye Supplys 2 Boats & ye Coble laden with provisions & Stores—People Empd getting Wood to ye Pitt for building a New boat the Carpenter of the Supply being landed for that purpose.
Thursday	18th	East	Do		Do Wr Reced all but 16 Casks of Flour from ye Supply in the Course of the Day The Surf increasing very much in thenote Evening made ye Signal for ye Supply to hoist ye Coble in. Gangs as before.
Friday	19th	Do	A very great Surf.		Fresh Breezes & Cloudy Wr with a great Sea & Surf people all empd as Yesty Sawyers sawing boards for building ye Boat.
Saturday	20th	Do	Do		Do Wr The Supply standing on & off People all Empd as before
Sunday	21st	ENE	Good Landing.		Light winds & pleasant Wr at noon reced all our provisions & stores from the Supply
Monday	22nd	ENE	Good Landing		Moderate Breezes & very pleasant Wr People all empd as before one Gang sending off Plank & Water on board ye Supply. Sent a Crossjack Yard & Topsail &c on board the Supply
Tuesday	23rd	NE	Do		Very pleasant Wr People all employed as before & one Gang sending off Water &c on board ye Supply. & The Carpenter of ye Supply building a boat.
Wednesy	24th	Do	Do	Drilled in 2 peck of Wheat in 1 Acre of Ground—	Fresh breezes & Cloudy Wr People all employed as before, Carpenter of ye Supply building a Boat sent off Water &c onboard ye Supply.
Thursday	25th	Do WSW SW	Bad Landg	Sowed an Acre of Wheat in Vale with 1 & ½ bushell of Seed	Strong Gales with some Squalls at 9 the Supply passed between Neps Island & Pt Hunter People all empd as before. Sowed 1¼ Acre of Wheat with 1½ bushell of Wheat.
Friday	26	SW	A heavy Sea & Surf	Sowed 2 Acres of Ground with Wheat Seed—	The Gale very heavy & the Squalls frequent sent round to ye Lee Side of ye Island but could not see the Supply. People all empd as before— Punished—[William] Holmes Convict with 3 dozen lashes for absenting himself from his task.
Saturday	27th	SW South SE	A very great Surf		Very Strong Gales of Wind with heavy Squalls of Wind & Rain— People working for themselves sent round to Cascade Bay but could not see the Supply.
Sunday	28th	ENE	Surf decreasing		The Gales more moderate, Saw nothing of the Supply suppose she is drove to Leeward of the Island, & cannot beat up at 11 A.M. performed divine Service The Carpenter of ye Supply &c employed about the Boat—
Monday	29th	Varble	good Landing		Light Winds & thick Cloudy Wr 3 Gangs Clearing away on Mount George, 8 Men making a fence hedge round the Garden in the Vale As ye last SE Wind, has much Injured the potatoes & other things Growing there—Carpenter of the Supply &c making a Boat 2 ss & 3 Lame Supply not in Sight.
Tuesday	30th	NE	Do		Fresh Gales & Cloudy Wr People all employed as before, at daylight the Supply pulld out to ye Southward, & working up. at 4 P.M. sent ye Carpenter of ye Supply & my dispatches onboard by the Coble, & soon after sailed the Supply for Port Jackson. The new boat not quite finished but we can go on.

July 1789

                                                               

Week Days	Mo Days	Winds	Landing & Surf	Observation &c	Transactions on Norfolk Island state of Wr &c
Wednesday	1st	North	Very good Landing		Fresh Gales & dark Cloudy Weather. Finished ye Coble employed paying her bottom the rest of ye People all employed as before.
Thursday	2nd	Do SEbE	Do		Fresh Gales & Do Wr with Constant heavy rain during the day & night. The people all employed as before 2 Men ss & 1 Lame
Friday	3rd	South	Indifferent Landg		Strong Gales, & dark Cloudy Wr People all employed as before & Coble-men building a dryer house for themselves. 9 Men making a Hedge round ye Garden in Arthurs Vale. 2 ss Squalls of rain during the night.
Saturday	4th	Do	Do		Fresh Gales & Cloudy Wr with heavy Rain. People working for themselves. 4 Men ss & lame—
Sunday	5	SW	very good Landing		Moderate breezes & Cloudy Weather at 10 A.M. performed divine Service.
Monday	6	WSW	Do	at 2 P.M. punished Edward Gaff Convict with 100 lashes for stealing 3 Quarts of of Wheat out of ye bag of Wheat which he was carrying to Arthurs Vale to be sowed there.	Do & very pleasant Warm Weather 3 Gangs finishing their task clearing away ground on Mount George. One Gang making a high Fence to break off ye wind from ye Garden in Arthurs Vale. 4 Hands making a Sawpit & one Pitt at Work ye others time not being up.
Tuesday	7th	Varble	Very good landing	payed the Small Coble with Tar & Turpentine . Eleven Acres of Wheat is now up in Arthurs Vale & has a very fine appearce NB 4 Acres is drilled in.	Moderate Breezes & very pleasant Wr Three tasks finished clearing away on Mount George Employed them during the remainder of this Week in Working at Clearing Ground for the Mid. & Surgeon &c. One Gang making a hedge round ye Garden in Arthurs Vale, & Sawyers &c as before—2 Carpenters Sick
Wednesday	8th	Do, SW	Do		Do Wr with a heavy Shower of Rain in ye Eveng The Coble out all day & caught only eight Fish, issued them to compleat in part ye serving of July 3rd 2ss—People as before
Thursday	9th	Variable	Do	The late Southerly winds has damaged ye potatoes greatly, which are growing at ye Plantation in Arthurs Vale. Every other Vegetable is very thriving.	Do Wr People all employed as before the Coble out all day & Caught only 15 Fish. issued them to Compleat in part the serving of June 3rdnote 4 sick & lame
Friday	10th	Do	Do		Do & Cloudy thick Weather People all empd as before The Coble out all day & only caught 15 Fish issued them out to a part of ye people in Lieu of 1 lb of Salt Beef—2 ss & 2 Lame—
Saturday	11th	East	Do		Fresh Gales & dark Wr with heavy rain all day. 2 sick, Carpenter & 3 Men lame
Sunday	12th	Varble	Very good Landing		Little Wind & very dark Cloudy Wr with heavy rain in ye Afternoon at 10 A.M. performed divine Service. 2 ss & 3 lame.
Monday	13th	Do	Do		Light winds with Squalls of very heavy rain & Thunder & Lightning in ye Squalls. 18 Men Employed getting timber off ye Cleared Ground on Mount George. 8, Making & finished a hedge round ye Garden in Arthurs Vale brought the Commanding officer of the troops house up, & placed it on ye left of my house. Carpenters Employed about it. & Sawyers Sawing boards &c. Blacksmith making Keel bands &c for ye large boat. 2 sick & 2 Lame.
Tuesday	14th	South	Do An increasing Surf—		Fresh Gales with passing Squalls of rain. 12 Men Making a Fence at ye foot of Mt George, & 5 in ye Valley The rest as before. 1 Gangs time not expired. 2ss & 3 Lame.
Wednesday	15th	Variable	Good Landing	Hauled the Small boat out of ye Boat house to repair her being very leaky	Do Wr People all employed as before 2 ss & 3 lame.
Thursday	16th	East	Bad Landing.		Moderate breezes & Cloudy Wr 5 Gangs of 6 Men each began their task Work of Clearing away 5 Acres of ground in Arthurs Vale 1 Gang Cutting & drawing Shingles. the Rest of ye People employed as before 2 ss & 2 Lame
Friday	17th	East	Indifft Landing.		Strong breezes & pleasant Wr broke off one Gang to burn the piles of Rubbish on Mt George but found it would not take fire the Rest of ye people Employed as before, payed the insides of the large & small boats with Tar & Tallow &c—2 ss & 2 Lame.
Saturday	18th	Do	good Landing.		Do Wr The people employed working for themselves—
Sunday	19th	Do	Do		Do Wr at 10 AM performed divine service.
Monday	20th	Do	Do		Do Wr 5 Gangs Clearing away Ground in Arthurs Vale; 1 Gang making & drawing Shingles Carpenters building a house for Lieutt Cresswell & 3 Sawpits Sawing boards &c for various purposes. Sent the Coble out & reced only 18 Fish served a part of them in lieu of 1 lb of Beef.
Tuesday	21st	Do	Do	During the last five days The Weather has been very pleasant & as warm as in the some of the hot Summer days.	Light Winds & very pleasant Wr people all empd as before The Coble out all day & caught only 4 fish.
Wednesday	22nd	Soy	Do		Do Wr People all employed as before. Jno Jones Male & Mary Gamble Female Convicts, informed me that the term of their Transportations Expired this day, Ordered the same Answer to be read to them which was read to Thos Jones on the 4th April.
Thursday	23rd	WS.W.	Bad Landing	Eleven Acres of Wheat in Arthurs Vale, & one Acre of Barley on ye No side of Mount George has a very promising appearance	Fresh Gales with some Squalls, broke off four Gangs to burn up the Piles of Wood in Mt George ready for sowing Wheat on it. 3 Lame 2 ss. Carpenter Fitting Stern Sheats & bottom boards to large boat.
Friday	24th	Do SW ESE	Do	The Weather is now very raw & Cold	Do Wr The People all Employed as before broke them off In ye Afternoon to get a piece of Pine on the Pitt 3 ss & 2 Lame—
Saturday	25th	East	Do		Do Wr with some Squalls, people working for themselves 3 Lame 2 sick—
Sunday	26th	Varble	Do		Moderate Breezes with dark Cloudy Wr at 10 AM Performed divine Service.
Monday	27th	Do	A Bad Surf—		Do threatning rain; five Gangs of 6 Men each clearing away four Acres of Ground in Arthurs Vale, One Gang Splitting & drawing Shingles Sawyers Sawing & Carpenters about Lieutt Cresswells house 2 lame & one Sick—
Tuesday	28th	NE	A great Sea but little Surf.	I am very unfortunate in ye loss of this Man As he was one, amongst ye very few good men that are here	Strong Gales & dark Gloomy Weather with Rain People all employed as before. at 10 AM a large tree fell on John Bryant Convict working in Arthurs Vale & bruised his head so much that he died in two hours. at 4 PM interred ye DD. & read ye Funeral service over him 1 Lame & 2ss.
Wednesday	29th	North NW, West	good Landing		During the Night Fresh Gales & very heavy rain. In the Day Fresh Gales & fine Wr Broke off All the Gangs & sowed the remainder of ye Wheat seed viz. 3 Bushells & half on three Acres of Ground. on the Side of Mount George. Got timber to ye Pitts—1 Lame & 2 ss—
Thursday	30th	WSW, SW	A very great Surf.		Fresh Gales with Squalls of Rain & Wind in the Evening very Strong Gales, People all employed at their Task Work The Carpenters empd fitting ye lining to the large boat & cutting oars &c—1 Sick—sent ye Small Coble to fish inside ye Reef She could not catch or see one fish.
Friday	31st	Do	A very heavy Surf.		Strong Gales & Squalley with some showers of rain People employed bringing in Spars for oars people making them in the Afternoon Employed 2 Gangs Getting timber to ye pitts. Cropped 1 Acre & half of Wheat on Plot hill it growing very rank—1 Lame & 2 sick—

August 1789

                                                               

Week days	Mo days	Winds	Landing & Surf	Observations &c	Transactions on Norfolk Island Wr &c
Saturday	1st	WSW	Surf decreasing	Killed a Boar belonging to Government weight 40 lbs for which 40 lbs of Salt Meat is deducted from my familys Allowance—	Moderate Breezes & very pleasant Wr People working for themselves 1 Lame.—
Sunday	2nd	West North	Do		Do Wr till Evening. then hard rain at 10 A.M. Performed divine Service.
Monday	3rd	Do SW	Bad Landing.		Strong Gales with very heavy rain during the night People all Empd till 8 AM getting Timber on ye Pitt for building a Barn in Arthurs Vale. Afterwards Employed at Task Work & one Gang making Singles— Sawyers at Task Work & Carpenters about Lieutt Cresswells house.
Tuesday	4th	SSW	A very Great Surf		Do Wr The people all employed as before The air very Sharp & cold—
Wednesday	5th	ESE	Do		Fresh Gales & a raw cold air. The people all employed as before—
Thursday	6th	NE	Do		Strong Gales & Dark Cloudy Wr People all employed as before. One Gang finished their Task—
Friday	7th	ENE	Do		Very heavy Gales of Wind with constant heavy rain. The Gusts at times very violent No work done on Account of the very bad Wr— One Marine Sick—
Saturday	8th	WNW	Good Landing a Great Swell		Strong Gales & heavy rain till 8 AM then Fresh Gales & Squally— People working for themselves—1 Marine sick—
Sunday	9th	W.SW.	Do		Do Wr with Excessive heavy Gusts of Wind & Squalls of Rain 2 Sick—
Monday	10th	SW	Do A Very heavy Surf		Do Wr with very heavy Gusts of Wind & Squalls of Rain. 3 Sick—four Gangs of 6 Men each clearing away Four Acres of Ground in Arthurs Vale Sawyers Sawing for Commandants house & the Barn Carpenters about Lieutt Cresswells house One Gang Sawing Splitting & Drawing Shingles Got a piece of Timber on the Pit.
Tuesday	11th	Do	Do		The Gusts of Wind very violent & Squalls very frequent. People all employed as before 2 Sick
Wednesday	12th	Do	Do		Fresh Gales with a few heavy Squalls of Rain & Wind at Daylight hoisted ye Colours in observance of His Royal Highness ye Prince of Wales's birth day. At Noon fired 3 Rounds of Artillery The Troops drawn up on the Parade fired 3 Rounds of Musquets after which the Whole gave three Cheers. Excused ye convicts from work.
Thursday	13th	WSW.	Bad Landing		Moderate Breezes & pleasant People all Employed as before. Carpenters repairing one of ye Sawpits. 1 Man ss.
Friday	14th	NW	Do		Fresh Gales & Cloudy. People Employd as before. & 4 Men Cutting ye Wheat down which is growing quite Rank.
Saturday	15th	Varble	Do		Fresh Gales with a few Squalls of Wind & Rain—The People all employed working for themselves. The Carpenters finished Lieutt Cresswells house.
Sunday	16th	Do	Very good landing.		Moderate Breezes & very pleasant Weather. at Day light sent the Coble out to fish at 3 P.M. She returned with only four Performed Divine Service.
Monday	17th	NE	Do	Put the forge up to do some necessary Jobs & employed Jas Williamson Private Marine to Work at it—	Fresh Gales & very pleasant Wr People all employed as before Carpenters began building an addition to my house. As I am apprehensive of its oversetting in the Violent S.W. Winds. In ye Morning Got Timber to the Pits.
Tuesday	th 18	NW	good Landing.		Strong Gales of Wind with incessant heavy Rain from Midnight till Noon P.M. People all employed as before.
Wednesday	19th	S.W.	Indifft Landing.		Fresh Gales & Clear Wr The four Tasks finishing thier works. Their time does not Expire untill ye 26th of this month Carpenters Sawyers &c employed as before.
Thursday	20th	Do	Do		Do Wr The Sawyers tasks finished this day their time does not Expire untill ye 24th of this Month. Carpenters as before.
Friday	21st	Do	Do		Do Wr Carpenters Employed as before & 1 Gang bringing Stones & building a Chimney behind ye addition building to my house Cropped ye Acre of Barley on ye NE side of Mount George—
Saturday	22nd	Do NW	good Landing		Fresh Gales & Cloudy Wr with Rain in the Evening. People Working for themselves—
Sunday	23rd	NW WSW	A Great Sea & Good Landing	The Indian Corn which has been sowed in difft places in the Valley & other places, has been dug up & eaten by the Rats. I therefore have put 5 Grains in a hole & sowed that in the Ridges very thick—	Very Strong Gales of Wind & dark Gloomy Wr with constant heavy Rain till 6 PM. then the Wind came to ye South.
Monday	24th	SW	A heavy Surf—	The Wheat growing on the South Side of Mt George is quite Blighted & Black with the Southy Wind. I think it will be no otherwise injured than Kept. back— This Gale has been the longest we have had here in this Quarter it has blown with very great force.	Do Wr with very heavy Gusts of Wind & Squalls of Rain Employed all the people making holes & planting Indian Corn in the four Acres cleard last in Arthurs Vale—One Gang bringing in Stones & building a Chimney to my house. 3 Men making & drawing Shingles—2 Sick—
Tuesday	25th	SSW.	Do		Do Wr The Gale very violent the People except one Gang working for themselves as their time does not Expire till Thursday night The rest Empd as before.
Wednesday	26th	Do	Do		Do Wr & ye Gale still very violent People all as Yesterday—1 Man ss & 2 Lame.
Thursday	27th	South	Do		The Gale a little Moderated but still very Strong Gales with some very heavy Squalls of Wind & Rain The People as before.
Friday	28th	Do SW	Landing possible.		Fresh Gales & Squally. Employed all ye People Cutting a Water Way Making drains, Sluices &c & sowing 3 Peck of Rice. 1 ss & 2 Lame.
Saturday	29th	ENE	good Landing.	punished Ann Coombs Female Convict with 50 lashes for defrauding Thos Jones of a Quantity of Provisions—	More Moderate & pleasant Weather People working for themselves. 1 ss & 2 Lame—
Sunday	30th	West, NW	good Landing a Great Swell	Messrs Cresswell & Jamieson went to Anson bay by land, they found it very difficult getting down into it. Landing was Very good there. No water within ½ a mile.	Moderate Breezes & Very pleasant Wr at 10 AM performed Divine Service. at 1 P.M. punished Ann Coombs Female Convict with 100 Lashes for Stealing two Cheque Shirts from Francis Mee Private Marine, which she hid & refused to produce them—
Monday	31st	North	Very good Landing.		Do Wr Four Gangs of 6 Men each Clearing away 4 Acres of Ground in Arthurs Vale. 1 Gang making Shingles Coblemen & 3 others employed occasionally. Sawyers sawing boards for building a Barn. 1 Carpr Empd about My house.

September 1789

                                                             

Week days	Mo days	Winds	Landing & Surf	Observations &c.	Transactions on Norfolk Island Wr &c
Tuesday	1st	Northy	Do	The Grubs are beginning to be very troublesome destroying all the onions. In The Surgeons Garden every Thing is quite destroyed. & Most of the people have had all their Indian Corn torn up by the Rats & what they have spared the Grubs have destroyed.	Do Wr People all employed as before. The Coble out all day & served only 28 people at 3 lb of Fish in lieu of 1 lb of beef each man. Carpenter & another man sick.
Wednesday	2nd	Do SW	Do		Do Wr with heavy Squalls of Wind afternoon Sent ye Coble out but she could not pull up again & was obliged to Land in Ball Bay. People all Employed as before Carpenter & 2 Men Lame—4 Men Employed making a railing round an Acre of Barley to keep the Stock out As ye Hedges are not sufficiently Strong.
Thursday	3rd	East	Bad Landing.	The Morning & Evening are very Sharp & Cold. The Grubs are beginning to destroy ye 4 Acres of Indian Corn planted Augt 24th.	Heavy Gales of Wind with some Rain & ye Wr very Sharp The people all employed as before. Carpenter & 2 others lame 1 Sick—
Friday	4th	Do	Do		Fresh Gales & pleasant Wr The people all Employed as before Sick & lame as before
Saturday	5th	ENE	Do	This Evening—Some Notorious Villians Stole almost Every Article of Vegetables out of Corporal Govens Garden which he had with great industry & perseverance Cleared & Cultivated, The Theft Must have been committed between dark & eight o'clock As all ye Convicts are mustered in their houses after the Watch is sett.	Moderate Breezes & pleasant Wr The people working for themselves. 2 Lame & one Sick.
Sunday	6th	NE	Do		Do Wr at 10 A.M. performed divine Service.
Monday	7th	North	No Surf.		Fresh Gales & dark Cloudy Wr in ye Evening heavy Rain. 4 Gangs of 6 Men each Clearing away four Acres of Ground of in Arthurs Vale. Carpenters about ye inside of My house. Sawyers Sawing boards. 5 Men making a paled hedge, round ye lower acre of Wheat. & one making Oars &c. Punished Catherine Johnson Female Convict with 50 lashes
Tuesday	8th	NW.	Do		Do Wr with heavy rain all night & ye fore part of ye day. AM Employed ye People fitting Timber to ye Pitts. PM All empd at Task Work & as before
Wednesday	9th	WSW	good Landing	The Rats have destroyed a great quantity of the Indian Corn growing on the four acres sowed Augt 24th Many Gardens are quite destroyed by the Grubs which are destroying every thing before them. I think they breed from eggs deposited by some kind of Fly, on ye leaves of the plants where they remain untill they have got strength by destroying the leaf; & then fall on the Ground & destroy the Root or Stalks as they increase in size—	Fresh Gales & Cloudy at Midnight had a Very heavy Squall of wind with a torrent of rain. the people all employed as before.
Thursday	10th	South	Indifferent Landing		Strong Gales till P.M. then Moderate. People all employed as before 1 Man making Oars for ye large Boat 4 Making Shingles—2 ss—
Friday	11th	S.S.E.	Do		Moderate Breezes & pleasant Wr People all Employed as before. Some people sowing ye 4 Acres of Indian Corn where the Rats have eaten it up. 2 Men ss & 1 Lame
Saturday	12th	North	good Landing		Do Wr The People all working for themselves. 1 Carpenter ss—
Sunday	13th	West	Do		Moderate breezes with Rain untill 10 AM, then Performed Divine Service. 1 Carpr sick & 2 Men lame—
Monday	14th	SW.	Do		Very heavy Rain all night untill 8 A.M. then pleasant Wr 4 Gangs of Six men each clearing away 4 Acres of Ground in the Vale. One Gang making Shingles, Coble men about ye Boats. Sawyers Sawing Stuff for building a Barn Carpenters lining my house & built a Centinal Box. One Female Child born. 1 Carpenter sick.
Tuesday	15th	West.	Indifft Landing.	Quantity of Seed Sowed & up—	Moderate Breezes & very pleasant Weather. People all Employed as Yesterday 1 Carpenter Sick—
Wednesday	16th	SE	good Landing	15 Acres of Wheat 1 Do of Barley. Seven of Indian Corn	Do Wr The people all employed as Yesterday Sowed part of an Acre with Indian Corn. Sent round to Ball Bay & brot ye Coble from thence.
Thursday	17th	NE	Do	The Grub worn is very troublesome destroying every Vegetable & plant of Indian Corn as fast as it comes out of the Ground.—	Do Wr The people all employed as before 1 Carpenter Sick
Friday	18th	Little Wind.	Do		Do Wr The People all employed as before sowed one Acre of Ground with Indian Corn. 1 Carpenter Sick—
Saturday	19th	WSW	An increasing Surf:		Do Wr The People all working for themselves 1 Carpenter Sick & 2 Lame—
Sunday	20th	NW	A bad Surf		Squally Wr with Some very heavy Squalls of Rain at 10 A.M. Performed divine Service & Christned ye New born Child—
Monday	21st	SW	Do		Fresh Gales & Squalley, 3 Gangs Compleated clearing away 3 Acres of Ground in Arthurs Vale. Their time does not expire untill ye 29th One of ye above Gangs cutting down one Acre of Trees to let the Sun in on ye Indian Corn The 4th Gang still at Work, their task being increased to 1¾ Acre, The other two Gangs making holes for ye Indian Corn & Sowed the whole 3 Acres. One Gang making Shingles Carpenters lining my house & two Sawpits at Work. Sowed 8 Roods of Potatoes.
Tuesday	22nd	East	A great Surf	At Sunrise hoisted ye Colours in observance of His Majesties Coronation	Fresh Gales & dark Gloomy Weather. People all as before. The Coble men Employed taking down the old Boat Shed & Erecting a New one, making Skids &c. —
Wednesday	23rd	NE East	Do	The Ground Grub is destroying Every plant & vegetable very fast. & has began Upon the four acres of Indian Corn. a quantity of it is eaten as is also some of ye Barley by Caterpillars. The women will all be constantly Employed in picking ye Grubs which I fear will not check their progress.	Do Wr with very heavy rain all day ye Gangs whose task is not yet finished could not work Carpenters as before.
Thursday	24th	Do	Do		Moderate Gales & Cloudy Wr The Gangs all Finished their tasks.
Friday	25th	Do	good landing		Do Wr 2 Sawpits finished their task time Expires on Monday next. 1 Sawpit & Carpenters as before. Coble men finished the Boathouse.
Saturday	26th	Do	Do		Do Wr People working for themselves. Four four Casks of flour damaged & short of Weight 104 lbs —
Sunday	27th	Do	Do		Do Wr at 10 A.M. performed Divine Service.
Monday	28	NE, NNE	Do		Fresh Breezes & Cloudy Wr The four gangs times not Expired Carpenters finishing my house Sawyers Sawing for the Granary or Barn at 8 AM Sent the Large Boat out to fish at 4 P.M. she returned with only 6. dug up 3 Rod of Ground planted June 1st with 240 Setts of Potatoes which Yielded 5 Bushells of very fine Potatoes
Tuesday	29th	North	good Landing.		Strong Gales & Dark Cloudy Weather. Two Gangs times up employed them Cutting a drain for carrying ye Water off ye lower part of ye Wheat in ye Vale. Coblemen making Skids for hauling the Boats up upon The Rest of the People as before.
Wednesday	30th	N.N.W.	A Very great Surf —		Moderate Breezes & Cloudy Weather. The two Gangs whose time is up Employed Hedging, making Shingles &cc. the Rest of the People as before — 1 Man ss —

October 1789

                                                               

Week days	Mo days	Winds	Landing & Surf	Observations &c	Transactions on Norfolk Island state of the Weather &c —
Thursday	1st	ESE	Do		Strong Gales & dark Cloudy Weather. People all employed as before 1 Man ss —
Friday	2nd	Do	good Landing a great swell without —		Fresh Gales & Cloudy Weather Some hands employed making a Fence overflowing the Rice &c. The rest as before. 1 Man ss —
Saturday	3rd	Do	Do		Moderate Gales & a great Swell without people Employed Working at their Gardens &c.
Sunday	4th	NE	good Landing		Moderate Breezes & pleasant Warm Weather at 10 A.M. Performed Divine Service
Monday	5th	North	A great Swell.		Strong Gales of Wind & dark Cloudy Wr 3 Gangs Empd clearing away ground in ye Vale for sowing Indian Corn & Potatoes on 1 Gang bringing in Logs for buildg a house for ye Carpenter. 2 Men Making Shingles. Carpenter & 2 Men to assist them framing a Barn. Sawyers as before.
Tuesday	6th	SSW SSE SE	good Landing	The Grub Worm is still numerous, Notwithstanding the Women are employed dayley in picking them out of the Ground & off ye plants, Yet no decrease of their numbers can be perceived. They have destroyed One Acre of Indian Corn entirely & are going on very fast in destroying the rest. Every Cabbage & other plant is eat off as fast as it appears out of the Ground, which has quite prevented any Cabbages being planted out for these six weeks past, where the Evil will end I know not. As the rearing of the Stock must in a great measure depend on ye Growth of ye Indian Corn.	Fresh Gales & Cloudy Wr — The people all employed as Yesterday — Too much Swell without to Send ye Boat out —
Wednesday	7th	East	A great Swell		Do Wr People all employed as before. 2 Men Squaring Loggs for building the Carpenter a house —
Thursday	8th	ESE	Do		Do Wr People all employed as before 4 Men Sawing lengths for Shingles There has been a great Swell these some Days past.
Friday	9th	Do	A very heavy Surf —		Moderate Gales & Warm Weather people all employed as before The four Men who were sawing lengths for Shingles Yesterday Employed hoing up ye Indian Corn in Arthurs Vale Punished Noah Mortimer, Thos Watson & Jno Holmes Convicts with 2 Dozen lashes each for loitering & Idling their time at Work —
Saturday	10th	Do	Do		Do Wr The people all employed Working at their Gardens &c —
Sunday	11th	SE	A very heavy Surf		Moderate Gales at 10 AM. performed Divine Service —
Monday	12th	Do, SW	Surf decreasing		Do Wr Most Part of the People employed Working for themselves this being a broken week & some time due to many of them Sowed 1 Acre of Indian Corn Carpenters, & Sawyers about ye Framing of the Barn &c —
Tuesday	13th	Do, ESE	A great Surf		Some Very Strong Squalls of Wind & in the night a Shower of Rain, Most of the people taking ye time that they have saved of their respective Tasks — Carpenters & Sawyers as before — Sowed a quarter of an acre of Potatoes in Arthurs Vale.
Wednesday	14th	South	Do		Fresh Gales & Cloudy cold Weather. Six Men at Work carrying out the Frame of ye Barn where it is to be be placed in Arthurs Vale. The rest as before.
Thursday	15th	ESE	A great Surf.		Fresh Gales & Cloudy. The people who are at Work, Carrying out the Frame &c of the Barn —
Friday	16th	SE	Do		Do Wr People all Employed as before
Saturday	17th	Do	Do		Moderate Breezes & very pleasant Weather. The people all working for themselves.
Sunday	18th	ESE	good Landing		Do & Cloudy at 10 A.M. performed divine Service.
Monday	19th	NW.	Do	Coble out all day & caught only 6 Fish	Moderate Gales & pleasant Weather. Sent 6 Men to Cut a Road from hence to Anson Bay. 6 Men Assisting the Carpenters in putting up the the Frame of the Barn, 8 Men clearing away a piece of Ground Sawyers sawing Stuff —
Tuesday	20th	Varble	Do		Fresh Gales & Cloudy people all employed as before —
Wednesday	21st	Do	Do		Moderate Gales & Cloudy Wr Finished Cutting the Road to Anson Bay. 14 Men Cutting the Wood Clear of ye Water Way.
Thursday	22nd	Variable	good Landing		Moderate Gales & Cloudy Wr People all Employed as before & ye People who were Cutting ye Road to Anson Bay, Employed Repairing the Road to Ball Bay. 2 Men Empd about hoing up Indian Corn &c —
Friday	23rd	NW	Do		Fresh Gales & Cloudy People all employed as before I went along shore this Morning & found a part of ye Bones belonging to one of ye People who were drowned here in August 1788 — Brot them to Sydney Bay & interred them —
Saturday	24th	ENE	Do		Moderate Breezes & very hot Sultry Weather ye People Employed Working for themselves
Sunday	25th	NE	A heavy Surf		Do Wr at 10 A.M. performed Divine Service
Monday	26th	Varble	Do		Do Wr & very Sultry. 2 Gangs of 6 Men each Clearing away an acre of Ground in Arthurs Vale One Gang building a Shed over one of ye Saw pits, One Gang digging a Sawpit to saw up some fallen pines which cannot be removed. Coble men building a Hut for ye Man who is to take Care of the Boat. Carpenters, Sawyers & Shingle makers about the Barn.
Tuesday	27th	East	A Great Surf —	This is the first rain which has fallen since ye 23rd of Septr which was much Wanted. The Wheat is all in ear & has a very good appearance. The Grubs have almost totally disappeard But we are now plagued with ye Perroquets which destroy a Quantity of ye Seeds, I much fear that if they find out the Wheat a great quantity will be destroyed by them	Strong Gales & Cloudy with some very heavy rain in the Morning. people all Employed as Yesterday
Wednesday	28th	Do	A very heavy Surf.		Do Wr People all employed as before. Punished Joseph Long with 100 Lashes for lending out Shoes which he had to mend —
Thursday	29th	ENE	Do		Do Wr People all employed as before Eight men assisting ye Carpenter in fitting a Sawpit
Friday	30th	North	Surf decreasing —		Fresh Gales & Squally The people all employed as before. 2 Men Lame.
Saturday	31st	NNW	Very good Landing		Moderate Breezes & very pleasant Weather People all employed working for themselves. I went out in ye Boat & fished but could not catch one. could not catch one.

November 1789

                                                             

Week days	Mo days	Winds	Landing & Surf	Observations &c	Transactions on Norfolk Island state of the Weather &c —
Sunday	1st	NE	Do		Do Wr at 10 AM performed Divine Service.
Monday	2nd	ENE	A Very heavy Surf		Fresh Gales & dark Cloudy Wr 2 Gangs Clearing away and turning up an acre of Ground for Sowing Potatoes. One Gang making Shingles, one Gang hoing up Indian Corn & ye rest employed ocassy
Tuesday	3rd	East	Do		Do Wr People all employed as before at 8 in ye Morning launched the large Boat & moored her within the Reef in the Middle Bay in order to soak her Carpenter Shingling the Sawyers house.
Wednesday	4th	NE	A great Surf.	The Catterpillars are again returned & are destroying the leaves &c of all the plants.	Strong Breezes & Cloudy Wr The people all employed as before. The Boat drove on shore brought her round & hauled her up here.
Thursday	5th	Do	Bad Landing.		Moderate Breezes & Cloudy Wr Sowed ¾ of an Acre of Potatoes. Most of ye People taking their time of what they have saved from their Respective tasks —
Friday	6th	ENE	Do		Fresh Gales & Cloudy People all as before
Saturday	7th	Do	Tolerable Landing.		Modt Gales & Cloudy. People Employed Working on their Gardens &c —
Sunday	8th	NE	Good Landing.		Do & Very Pleasant Weather. Performed Divine Service Sent ye Coble out she returned with 15 fish issued them.
Monday	9th	NNE	Do	Most of the Plants & other Vegetables are stripped of their leaves & Stalks by the Catterpillar.	Do Wr 2 Gangs of 6 Men each, clearing away an acre of ground to sow Potatoes on. One Gang Clearing away a piece of Ground for lieutt Cresswell. One Gang hoing up Indian Corn. & the rest Employed occassionally the Sawpit at Work The others & Carpenters taking their time that they have saved from their task Work. Master Carpenter Shingling the Surgeons House — The Barn finished.
Tuesday	10th	ENE	Do		Fresh Breezes & Cloudy People all employed as before. four Men Sawing Lengths for Shingling. The Coble went out & brought in fish enough to serve a part of the People.
Wednesday	11th	NE, South in the Squall, ENE	Good Landing	The very heavy rain & Wind has lain the Wheat all down	At day Light Moderate Breezes & Clear Weather Sent the Coble out to fish at ½ past Eight Came on very Suddenly a heavy Gale of Wind & hard Rain which lasted untill 3 in the Afternoon when it Cleared up. The Boat Returned on perceiving the Change of Weather. People all Employed as before —
Thursday	12th	Do	Do		Moderate Breezes & Cloudy Wr People all Employed as before; Coble men Building a hutt.
Friday	13	NW, WSW	Do		Do & very pleasant Weather. The People all employed as before Sent the Coble out to fish she returned in ye Evening not having caught any. Lieut Cresswell turned a turtle in Cresswell Bay.
Saturday	14th	SSE	Do		Do Wr The people employed working for themselves. Sent the Boat out to fish At 2 P.M. she returned with 36. Issued them in the lieu of 1 lb of Salt Pork, each Man.
Sunday	15th	East	Do	Robert Webb Seaman belonging to the Sirius this day went to the Cascade Bay to settle there Sent The Coble Men to Carry His things round there by hand —	Very Pleasant Wr at 10 AM Performed Divine Service.
Monday	16	ENE	Do	Began Cutting the Barley —	Do Wr 1 Gang Clearing away Garden Ground for Lieutt Cresswell, 2 Gangs Clearing away & Turning up One Acre of Ground for Potatoes. One Gang fetching Thatch. Carpenters taking their time Except 1 shingling ye Surgeons House. Sawyers sawing lining boards &c.
Tuesday	17th.	ENE	good Landing	The Weather during this last month has been very Sultry & hot & the Wind has been Constantly from the Eastward which I think is the trade wind that reaches thus far.	Moderate Breezes & excessive Hot Sultry Wr People all Employed as Yesty 4 Men hoing up Indian Corn
Wednesday	18th	East.	Do	The potatoes which are growing at the Farm & were sowed September 7th & during that Month; are all running to Stalk there is not a single potatoe at their Roots, the Tubers run very strong & shoot up out of the Ground, notwithstanding they have been very well earthed. I much fear that from the intense heat of the Weather, They will run to haulm & not firm into Potatoes — The Perroquets which are in very large Flocks are destroyg the Wheat having made great havock in one acre — viz Plot hill	Do Wr People all employed as before Shingles being finished Carpenter, Making Oars for the Boat. 6 people employed Carrying the Barley to the farm. Women employed leasing the Barley.
Thursday	19th	Do	Do		Do Wr People all employed as before —
Friday	20th	WSW	Do		Do Wr People all employed as before.
Saturday	21st	Varble	Do		Do Wr The people Employed at their own Gardens building houses &c.
Sunday	22	SW ESE	Do		Do Wr at 11 A.M. performed divine Service.
Monday	23rd	ENE	Do	Began Cutting the Barley —	Do Wr & very hot. 2 Gangs which were clearing away an Acre of Ground taking their time which does not Expire untill Friday One Gang hoing up Indian Corn The rest of the[m] Employed about a number of necessary Jobs. Carpenter fitting the large Coble with a Steering Oar & noteSawyers Sawing ¾ boards for lining a part of the Barn & Lieutt Cresswells House. at daylight Sent the Coble out & reced 28 Fish issued them 2 lb of Fish in lieu of ½ a lb of Salt Pork — One Man Thrashing out Barley
Tuesday	24th	NNW	good Landing.	The Wheat throughout ripens very fast & as it is well filled I do not apprehend much damage from ye Caterpillars which are very thick indeed As the path ways are Covered with them.	The Weather very hot & Sultry with an appearce of Rain, People all employed as before 5 Men Making Hog pen, Duck Yard &c at the farm. Carpenter Repairing the Boats.
Wednesday	25th	Do	Do		Do Wr The People all employed as before. Sent the Coble out & reced fish enough to serve most part of ye People at 2 lb of fish for ½ a pound of Meat.
Thursday	26th	Do	Do		Do Wr & Exceeding hot. People all Employed as before. 1 Gang bringing in logs for making a fence round ye Barn.
Friday	27th	Do	Do		Do Wr & close. People Employed as before except one Gang Cross cutting lengths for the Pit Sent ye Coble out to fish —
Saturday	28th	Do	Do		Do Wr & extremeley Sultry hot Weather the People all employed working for themselves.
Sunday	29th	ENE	Do		Do Wr at 10 AM. performed Divine Service Killed a Boar belonging to ye Crown Weight 46 lbs. stopt Salt meat for Do
Monday	30th	Variable	Do	1st day of Wheat Harvest.	Do Wr 2 Gangs Cutting down trees off 2 acres of Ground in Arthurs Vale. One Gang bringing in Rails & paling for inclosing ye Barn Yard. four Men Reaping Wheat. Carpenter fitting & Repairing ye Small Boat. Lucas's time not expired till Decr 10th

December 1789

                                                               

Week days	Mo days	Winds	Landing & Surf	Observations &c	Transactions on Norfolk Island state of the Weather &c —
Tuesday	1st	Varble	Do	In ye Evening Squally Wr with heavy rain	Do Wr People all as before Carpenter Flooring Lieutt Cresswells house Reced Fish enough by ye Coble to serve a part of ye People.
Wednesday	2nd	Varble	good Landing	It is rather Extraordinary that ye Supply when 2° to ye Southward of this had Constant heavy Rains whereas for this Considerable time past we have had a very great drought —	Moderate Breezes & Cloudy Hot Sultry Wr People all employed as before. 6 Men Making an inclosure with Stakes round the Barn reced fish enough to compleat ye serving of Yesterday 2lb of Fish in lieu of ½ lb of Pork.
Thursday	3rd	SSW	Do		Fresh Breezes & pleasant Weather at Daylight perceived His Majesties Armed Tender Supply at 8 Reced ye Letters & in ye Course of the day eight Women Convicts landed & a part of the Provisions & Stores. The people all employed as before. Reaping Wheat.
Friday	4th	Do	Indifferent Landing.		First part Do Wr People all employed as before. Reced one turn of provisions & Stores. In the Afternoon Fresh Gales with Squalls of Rain The Supply standing off & on People all employed as before. The Weather is remarkably Cold & raw
Saturday	5	SSW	Bad Landing	This day put the Settlement to an allowance of 2/3rd of all spieces per order of His Excellency the Governor.	Strong Gales all day, at 9 the Supply bore up & ran to Leeward of the Island Messrs Jamieson & Cresswell went onboard her People Working for themselves.
Sunday	6th	SSE	Do		More Moderate at 10 A.M. performed divine Service Went onboard ye Supply
Monday	7th	SE	Do		Pleasant Wr Got every thing & person from the Supply at 4 P.M. she sailed hence for Port Jackson —
Tuesday	8th	ESE	Very good Landing	Three Men Threshing out Wheat. + The Catterpillars are still very troublesome destroying every plant & Vegetable. The Wheat is nearly all ripe but there are many patches which are still quite green it is my intention to begin reaping ye Whole of it next Week & letting the Green patches remain, as the Parroquets are destroying vast quantitys of it	Moderate Breezes & very pleasant Weather People making a staked Fence round the Barn in Arthurs Vale others bringing in Wood. Carpenters about Messrs Cresswell & Jamiesons houses —
Wednesday	9th	Do	Do		Do Wr People all Employed as before 6 Men Turning up a piece of Ground to Sow potatoes on. sent ye Coble fishing she returned not having caught any +
Thursday	10th	Do	Do		Do Wr & very Sultry. People all Employed as before The Coble returned with Fish enough to serve every person 2 lb in lieu of ½ a lb of Pork, viz. from ye Short allowance
Friday	11th	Do	Do		Light Winds & Very Sultry hot Wr Six men reaping Corn 3 Thrashing. 8 bringing in Thatch 4 Carrying Wheat to ye Barn. & ye Rest Empd Cross Cutting Timber.
Saturday	12th	Do	Do		Do Wr the People Working for themselves Excepting two Men thrashing out Wheat
Sunday	13th	Do	Do		Do Wr at 10 AM performed divine Service
Monday	14th	NNW	good Landing		Strong Gales of Wind & very dark Cloudy Wr threatning much Rain. Most of ye People Employed Getting in the Harvest Thrashing &c. at Noon punished Jno Anderson Convict with 200 Lashes for Robbing a Garden, pursuant to the Sentence of the two Justices & Wm Blackhall Convict with 50 lashes for treating Mr Dunnavan with Contempt & ye Commandants orders with Insolence —
Tuesday	15th	Do, SSE, SE	Bad Landing	This is the first rain that we have had to speak of since ye 23rd of Septr	A Very heavy Gale of Wind untill 2 AM with Constant heavy Showers of Rain untill 6 AM at 2 AM. ye Wind shifted in a Squall to SSE & Continued blowing Strong all Day. People all employed about the harvest &c —
Wednesday	16th	ESE	A great Surf	+ The Wheat I much fear will be spoiled if this Wet Wr Continue long. a Rick of about 2 Acres is up. 3 Acres cutt is on the Ground. The Wet Wr coming on before it could be taken up 3 Acres is not yet Cut down but is dead ripe.	Fresh Gales & dark Cloudy Wr People all Employed getting in the Harvest. Threshing out Wheat & making Ricks &c — in ye Evening drizzling rain.
Thursday	17th	Do	Do		Do Wr with Constant heavy Rain all Day No harvest Work could be done.
Friday	18th				Very heavy Rain with hot Sultry Wr. In ye Evening came on a torrent of Rain which lasted the Whole night.+
Saturday	19th	ESE	Bad Landing	+ There is every appearance of the Wheat yielding well it is all in Ricks & all Thatched except one which cannot be compleated for want of Straw — Two Men will constantly be kept Thrashing.	Fresh Breezes, The Rain during the Night very heavy, During ye day some intervals of Dry Weather. The people all employed turning the Wheat that is cut down & was housed.
Sunday	20	Do	Do		Do Wr & very pleasant till 4 PM then Threatning Rain People all employed Reaping, binding up ye Wheat & making Ricks, getting ye Wheat &c in for its preservation —
Monday	21st	Do	good Landing		Do Wr with a few light Rains every person employed Reaping, carrying & ricking the Wheat Women Gleaning &c.
Tuesday	22nd	Do	Do		Do Wr People all Employed as Yesterday at Noon Got all the Wheat in & four Ricks Thatched one Rick remains to be thatched. 2 Men Thrashing+
Wednesday	23rd	Do	Do		Do & very pleasant Weather people all employed Variously.
Thursday	24th	Do	Do	Sent ye Coble out but caught only 16 fish.	Do Wr Gave the People this day on account of their Working last Sunday.
Friday	25th	ESE	Good Landing		Moderate breezes & pleasant Wr at Sunrise hoisted ye Colours in observance of Christmas Day. at 10 AM performed Divine Service killed 2 Hogs belonging to the Crown Wt 180 lb & issued them 1 lb & ½ to each person & as our Crop of Wheat has been a good one gave Them 2 lb of Flour each Man & one pound to the Women —
Saturday	26th	SW	Do		Do Wr People all employed, Working for themselves.
Sunday	27th	Do	Do		Do Wr at 10 AM Performed divine Service. The Wr very hot & Sultry.
Monday	28th	Varble	Do	Smiths Ground began	Light Winds & very Sultry hot Weather. 2 Gangs of six men each Turning up the Ground that the Wheat came off from. One Gang clearing away Ground The rest of ye Convicts Employed Threshing, making paling round the Barn. &c — Carpenters empd about Lieut Cresswells & Surgeons houses
Tuesday	29th	NW	Do		Do Wr The people all employed as before At day light Lieut Cresswell went with both Boats to Phillip Island & returned at one PM. He went over the Island but could not find any Water. The Weather Very hot & Sultry.
Wednesday	30	Do	Do		Do Wr but dark heavy Clouds & hot Sultry Weather. The people all employed as before. Employed 4 Men Thatching ye last Rick. Sent ye Coble out of fish but caught only 16 Issued them in lieu of Short Allce
Thursday	31st	NNW	An Increasing Surf		Fresh Gales & heavy Rain all Day. People not Employed on account of the Weather except the 2 Men who were Threshing & Carpenters.

January 1790

                                                               

Week days	Mo days	Winds	Landing & Surf	Observations &c.	Transactions on Norfolk Island Wr &c
Friday	1st	SE	A Great Surf		Strong Gales of Wind & incessant heavy Rain all day Excused the People from Work this being New Years day —
Saturday	2nd	Do	good Landing		Fresh Gales & Cloudy — People working for themselves —
Sunday	3rd	Do	Do		Do Wr at 10 AM Performed Divine Service A Male Child born —
Monday	4th	ESE	A very great Surf		Strong Gales of Wind & dark Weather. One Gang Clearing away ground for Next Year A Gang bringing in Stakes for building a house for the Store keeper. One Gang Cutting down Trees off an Acre of Ground; four Men Cross Cutting lengths & one Making & three drawing Shingles. Two Men Threshing. Two Endeavouring to make Querns for Grinding Indian Corn but find the Stone is too hard — This Wind blights all the Garden Seeds. Some Indian Corn Sowed ye latter end of July was got in to Day. finished making a fence round the Barn. The Weather very Sharp & Cold —
Tuesday	5th	SE	Do decreasg		More Moderate than Yesterday. the People all Employed as before. The people who were at Work about ye fence round the Barn Employed building a log house for the Storekeeper. Carpenters making ye lower mast of a Flaggstaff & lining Lt Cresswells house
Wednesday	6th	ESE	Do		Do Wr the People all employed as before. Carpenters about ye Flagg-staff & Lieut Cresswells house The Rest as before —
Thursday	7	Do	Less Surf		Do Wr The People all empd as before 4 Men Winnowing Wheat —
Friday	8	Do	Do		Do Wr The people all as before. The perroquets are distroying ye Indian Corn having almost totally distroyed the Crop of some individuals.
Saturday	9th	Do	good Landing		Do Wr The people all Empd Working at their Gardens &c — Carpenters finishing the Flaggstaff. The Perroquets are very troublesome.
Sunday	10th	Do	Do		Do Wr at 10 AM performed Divine Service
Monday	11th	East	A great Surf		Fresh Breezes & Cloudy Weather. from day light till Eight oclock Employed Getting up Sheers & Stepping a Flagg-staff & getting the Topmast up in ye Front Yard of the Superintendant & Commandants House. People afterwards Employed bringing in posts & logs of Wood for erecting a Stoccade inclosure round the Superintendant & Commandants House in which inclosure is hereafter intended to build Barracks for the Marines. 1 Carpenter about Lieutt Cresswells house. Sawyers sawing Stuff for Do —
Tuesday	12th	ESE	Do		Do Wr People Employed most part of the Day bringing a Spar from Turtle Bay for a Topmast. Four Men Making a Stocade inclosure the rest as before.
Wednesy	13th	Do	Do		Do Wrnote 3 Gangs of 6 Men Each Cutting down Trees & Clearing away Ground 5 Men Making a Stoccade. 6 Men bringing in Thatch & Thatching the Store keepers house. 5 Do breaking down ye Cobs of Indian Corn The rest employed occasy & necessarily 1 Sawpit Sawing boards.
Thurdy	14	North	Less Surf		Strong Gales of Wind & some Showers of Rain People all employed as before. 2 Men bringing in Stones for building a Chimney for the Surgeon. 6 Men ss.
Friday	15th	South	A great Surf		Do Wr with some Showers of Rain The People all Employed as before — 6 Men Sick 4 Men breaking down Indian Corn.
Saturdy	16th	SE	Less Surf		Moderate Gales & Cloudy — The People all Employed Working for themselves
Sunday	17th	Northy	good Landing		Moderate Breezes & very pleasant Weather at 10 AM performed Divine Service
Monday	18th	NE	Very good Landing	At Day light sent the Boat out to fish at Noon She returned with 40 Issued them to a part of the people in lieu of of the Short Allce stopped. Some of the Convicts killed a Sow belonging to the Crown which could not be discovered.	Moderate Breezes & very pleasant Weather at Sunrise hoisted ye Colours in observation of her Majesties Birth Day. One Gang bringing in Logs for making a Stoccade round the Superintendant & Commandants house. Filling the Barn & Thrashing. 2 Carpenters about Lieutt Cress-wells house & 2 about ye Store keepers. One Gang Clearing away Ground.
Tuesday	19th	East	Do	Sent the Coble fishing at 2 PM She returned with 60 fish Issued them to ye People in Lieu of the deduction in the Allowance	Do Wr 3 Gangs Employed Clearing away Ground for Cultivation Two Men bringing in Stone for building a Chimney for the Surgeon. Only one Sawyer at Work ye other Sawyer Very ill. 2 Men Thrashing & ye rest Reapg
Wednesy	20th	Do	Do	During this Month a greater Number of people have been sick than has been the Case since I landed The Complaint is mostly a diarrhoe, but they soon recover of it. The Surgeon thinks it is owing to the Vast quantitys of Vegetables that are eaten —	Do Wr People All Employed as Yesterday The Weather Exceding hot — 1 Male Child born
Thursday	21st	ENE	Do		Do Wr Employed as before Gathering Indian Corn. Punished James Burn Convict with 25 lashes for Stealing Indian Corn —
Friday	22nd	Do	Do		Do Wr the People all employed as before Repairing the Small Coble
Saturday	23rd	NE	Do		Dark Cloudy Wr inclinable for Rain — People Working for themselves —
Sunday	24th	NNE	Do		Moderate & Very Sultry hot Weather at 10 AM performed divine Service
Monday	25th	NNE	Indifft Landing		Very hot Sultry Weather — 4 Men putting up a Stoccade round the Store house & Commandants house 4 Burning & getting up Earth 1 Gang Clearing away Ground two Thrashing ye Rest of the labourers time saved, not Expired Till tomorrow & Wednesday 2 Carpenters about Lining Lieutt Cresswells house One Sawpit sawing Joists &c for putting another floor to the barn to Contain The Indian Corn — The perroquets are destroying it very fast —
Tuesday	26th	Do	Do		Do Wr People all Employed as before 2 Gangs Turning up Ground in Arthurs Vale 1 Man building a Chimney for ye Surgeon Carpenters about ye Stoccade & making oars —
Wednesy	27th	WSW	Do		Do Wr & very Sultry. People all Employed as before
Thursday	28th	Do, ESE	Do		Fresh breezes & Cloudy Weather People all Employed as before — 12 sick & lame.
Friday	29	Do	Bad Landing		Moderate Breezes & Cloudy Weather. at day light perceivednote His Majesties Armed Tender Supply in the Road Sent the Coble off & reced ye Despatches no Landing the Remr of day — 6 Convicts were put on Shore from the Supply in Ball Bay. People all empd as before.
Saturday	30th	ENE	Do		Do Wr Landing still very indifferent — Reced in the Course of the day the Remain[in]g[?]note Convicts from the Supply in all 22 Male & 2 Female noteChildren with 1 Child
Sunday	31	NN[E?]			Strong Gales of Wind & very dark Cloudy Wr with heavy Rain in ye Morng before the thick Wr Came on sent the Coble onbd ye Supply where she was hoisted in

February 1790

                                                       

Week day	Mo day	Winds	Landg & Surf	Observations &c.	Transactions on Norfolk Isld Weather &c —
Monday	1st	SE	good Landing		Moderate Gales & Cloudy during the day received every thing from the Supply — a Part of ye People turning up Ground & ye rest Empd occassionally & at task work
Tuesday	2nd	Do	Bad Landing		Fresh Gales & dark Cloudy Weather. The Surf running high could not send the dispatches onboard the Supply untill 4 P.M. when she sailed for Port Jackson — The People Employed as Yesterday.
Wednesy	3rd	NE	good Landing		Do Wr with heavy Rain most part of the Day. The Convicts who came by the Supply Employed buildg their Houses. 2 Gangs Turning up Ground, 6 Covering in one of the Sawpits. [*] Women & 5 Men Gathering & Husking Indian corn 2 Men Thrashing out Wheat Sawyers & Carpenters about a floor for the upper part of the Barn to Contain the Indian Corn 2 Men Shingg ye Mids[?] housenote
Thursday	4	NW	No Surf		Very Strong Gales & dark Cloudy Weather with almost constant Rain people Employed at intervals as Yesterday
Friday	5	Do	Do		Do Wr with less Rain Employed some hands & Women gathering & husking Indian Corn the Rest Employed as before.
Saturday	6th	NE	Do		Moderate Breezes & very hot Sultry Weather The People all working at their Gardens &c —
Sunday	7th	Do	Do		Do Breezes with incessant heavy Rain at six AM sent the Boat to Phillip Island at Noon She returned with fish enough to Serve every person in the Settlement 21bs.
Monday	8th	ENE	Indifferent Landing.		Fresh Gales & dark Cloudy Weather 3 Gangs of 6 Men each Clearing away 3 Acres of Ground. A Number Employed Gathering, husking, & getting Indian Corn to the Barn Thatching ye Roof of one of the Sawpits, & a number of other necessary Jobs — Carpenters about Lieut Cresswells house putting a Floor to the Barn — &c —
Tuesday	9th	NE	Do		Moderate Breezes & Cloudy Weather. People all Employed as before. 11 Sick & Lame.
Wednesday	10th	ENE	Do		Do Breezes & very Sultry hot Weather The People all Employed as before.
Thursday	11th	Do	Do		Very Pleasant Sultry Weather. People all employed as before. Sent the large boat to Phillip Isle. at 3 P.M. it returned with fish enough to serve 81 people.
Friday	12th	Do	Do		Do Wr & very Sultrynote The People all employed as before Sent the Coble over to Phillip Isle at 3 P.M. she returned with Sufficient fish to serve the remainder of the people.
Saturday	13th	Do	Do		Do Wr & very Cloudy The People working for themselves.
Sunday	14th	Do	Bad Landing		Fresh Breezes & very Gloomy Weather. at 10 AM performed divine Service.
Monday	15th	Do	Indifft Landing.		Fresh Gales & Cloudy Weather 3 Gangs Employed Clearing away Ground 3 Sawpits at Work for Barracks &c Carpenters occasionally. 6 Men Carrying Thatch 7 Men Assisting Officers & Settlers at their Grounds 4 Men Making Shingles Women & 3 Men Breaking down & gathering Indian Corn — 8 [?] sick —
Tuesday	16th	East	good Landing.		Moderate Breezes & Very hot Sultry Weather. The people all Employed as Yesterday 14 Lame & Sick 5 Men building a Log house for a Settler
Wednesday	17th	Do	Do		Do Wr The people all employed as before & getting Timber to the Pitts — One Man Repairing & Caulking the Small Coble 15 Lame & Sick
Thursday	18th	Do	Do		Do Wr Employed the People All as before four Men Sifting & Cleaning the Wheat The rest as before
Friday	19th	Do	Do		Fresh Gales & dark Cloudy Wr people all Employed as before. Got in the last of the Indian Corn — 16 Sick & lame Some showers of rain in the Night
Saturday	20th	Do	Do		Moderate Breezes & pleasant Weather with some Showers of Rain in the Night The people all Employed working for themselves — 14 Sick & Lame
Sunday	21	NE	Do		Do Wr at 10 AM. performd Divine Service
Monday	22nd	NE	good Landing.	6 Men building a house for a Settler in Phillimore's Valley.	Fresh Gales & dark Cloudy Weather with some showers of rain in the Night 3 Gangs of 6 Men each Clearing away Ground for Cultivation & Sawpits Sawing framing & Scantling for building Barracks Carpenters finishing Lieut Cresswells house. Eight Men Employed getting timber to the pits afterwards harrowing Turnip seed in getting in Indian Corn &c 5 Men Making Shingles & 4 digging a new Sawpit Punished Jno Boyle Convict with 25 lashes for absenting himself from his Work — 10 Sick & lame
Tuesday	23rd	NE	Do		Do Wr people all Employed as before 2 Men bringing in logs for the Stoccade 2 Men Thrashg out Wheat.
Wednesday; Thursday	24; 25	NE	Do; A great Sea without		Very Strong Gales of Wind & dark Cloudy Weather The People all Employed as before on Thursday Got 2 Ricks of Wheat into the Barn — 8 Sick & Lame
Friday	26th	NE	good Landing		Strong Gales of Wind & dark Cloudy Weather. The people all Employed as before Carpenters finished Lieutt Cresswells house. 18 Sick & lame
Saturday	27th	Do	A great Sea with[out]		Fresh Gales & Cloudy People all employed working for themselves.
Sunday	28th	Do	Do		Do Wr with some heavy Squalls of Wind & Rain. at 10 AM. Performed Divine Service

March 1790

                                                 

Week day	Mo day	Winds	Landg & Surf	Observations &c.	Transactions on Norfolk Isld Weather &c —
Monday	1[st]note	East SE SSW WSW	good Landing		Moderate Breezes & Cloudy 3 Gangs of 6 Men each Clearing away 3 Acres of Ground, Eleven, Getting up Roots off 7 Acres of Ground in Arthurs Vale Carpenter fitting up the Stoccade 3 Sawpits Sawing Scantling & framing for the Barracks. 2 Men Thrashing 10 Convicts With Officers & Settlers 4 Overseers four Men finished building a house for one of the Settlers. The rest Sick & em[p]loyed occasionally — 4 Men bringing in Logs for the Stoccade
Tuesday	2nd	SW	Bad Landing		Fresh Breezes & Cloudy Wr The People all Employed as before. Women & three Men Stripping Indian Corn off the Husks.
Wednesday	3rd	Do	Do		Do Wr with little Wind toward ye Evening. People all employed as before.
Thursday	4th	Varble	A Great Surf.		Light Wind with Calms. The People all Employed as before The Weather very hot & Sultry.
Friday	5	Do	Good Landing		Moderate Breezes & very dark Cloudy Weather with Constant heavy rain Some of the Convicts Employed Stripping Indian Corn off ye Husks.
Saturday	6th	Do	Do		Light Winds & dark Cloudy Wr with Rain at times Served 111 Quarts of Indian Corn in Lieu of Pease at one Quart per Man. ye Rest in Rice. People workg for thems.
Sunday	7th	NE	Do		Strong Gales & Incessant heavy Rain all the day.
Monday	8th	SW SSW SbE	good Landing		Moderate Gales & Cloudy Weather. 2 Gangs began Clearing away Ground in Arthurs Vale, 2 Do fixing a Shed over a Sawpit Six Men bringing in Logs for a Stockade & four about it 4 Men Making a fowl Yard two Threshing 3 Sawpits Sawing Framing &c for building Barracks. Carpenters Time Not Up — 1 Man taking Care of Stock. With Officers, Gardners &c. — 4 Overseers. Marine & Convict Blacksmith Employed Making hinges for ye bedsteads for the Barracks &c — 3 Making Shingles for the Barracks &c
Tuesday	9th	ESE	Do		Do Wr The People all Employed as before
Wednesy	10th	NE	Do		Fresh Gales & dark Cloudy Wr with almost Constant Rain The People all Employed as before —
Thursday	11th	NE SW	good Landing.		Very heavy Rain during the night at 8 The Wind shifted to SW after which had fresh Gales during the Day at 1 the boat went over to Phillip Isle to fish. at 3 P.M. she returned with only 5 Fish. Carpenter making a hatch for ye 1st floor of the Barn —
Friday	12th	S.W.	Do		Strong Gales & Cloudy The People all Employed as Yesterday
Saturday	13th	SW	Very Bad Landing.		Do Wr at day light perceived His Majesties Ship Sirius & Supply armed Tender in the Offing at 10 Received the despatches from Ball Bay & the Sirius & Supply went round to Cascade Bay where the detach[ment] of Marines were landed & Convicts —
Sunday	14	SE	Bad Landing		Fresh Gales & Cloudy Wr Sent All the Convicts round to Cascade Bay where a Great part of the Luggage The Detatchment of Marines & most part of the Convicts were landed. at Noon Lieutt Governor Ross Came to the Settlement & requested myself & Lieut Cresswell to Carry on the duty as usual until my departure.
Monday	15th	ESE	Do		Fresh breezes Sent the Convicts round to Cascade Bay & reced a great part of the Baggage from the Sirius & Supply. had a Survey on the Stores & Provisions remaining in the Settlement.
Tuesday	16th	NE	good Landing		Strong Gales of Wind & thick Cloudy Wr with almost Constant Rain The Sirius & Supply were seen from Mount Pitt. Off the SE Point, Some distance off at Sea. Jeremiah Leary ran the Gauntlet among the Convicts for theft & was severely punished.
Wednesday	17th	Do	Do		Very Strong Gales of Wind & dark Cloudy Weather with heavy rains. People Employed Variously the Sirius & Supply working up. the Supply Came into the Roads about 1 oclock; sent the Boats Off & received on shore a part of the Luggage, Stock, & 13 Casks of Provisions.
Thursdy	18th	Do	Do		Strong Gales of Wind with Exceding heavy Rain all night could not see any Vessell before 4 P.M. when the Supply was in the SW People all Employed occasionally
Friday	19	ESE; At Noon; SE; South	Very good Landing all the Day	The Ship lies broadside to the Surf which breaks over her Chess tree	noteModerate Gales at daylight made the Signal that Landing was very good & that the large Boats could Land. The Supply in the roads & the Sirius Standing in. Received every thing from the Supply. at Noon the Sirius having twiced missed Stays & being Embayed, struck on the outer part of the Reef — Received a Small Quantity of Provisions from her by the boats, but the Surf being much increased along side her & the Wreck of her Masts having staved some of the Boats, no more Could lay along side. In the Evening The Weather having a very bad appearance & knowing that the Ship would not possibly hold together if the Surf increased more on the Flowing tide which was very likely to happen, I made signsnote for that remaining onboard the Ship was dangerous. Having got some hawsers from the Ship & a Traveller tonote of them. Hauled the Captain & part of the Officers & people on shore & saved their lives with difficulty having dragged them across ye Reef thro' a Very great Surf Most part of the Officers & people remained onboard the Sirius's wreck all night
Saturday	20th	South	Bad Landing	At daylight perceived that the Sirius had swung on the reef & brought her stern right off —	Strong Gales & Cloudy Employed getting every person out of ye Sirius's Wreck which was finished by 4 oclock in the Afternoon The Master & Boatswain came last a Small Quantity of Beef was received by rafts & a quantity of the Officers & peoples Effects The Ship lies off & on, & ye Midship frame is loosned The provisions are mostly on deck & it is likely that none of it will be lost. at 9 AM. of this day the Lieutt Governor assemblednote all the Commission Officers belonging to the Sirius & Marines, when a number of resolutions were agreed to in order to ensure peace & good order in The Settlement.
Sunday	21st	SW	A very heavy Surf		Very Strong Gales of Wind & a great Sea Running. The Sirius end on off the Reef, & altho' a very great Surf runs with Violence Yet she does not appear worse than Yesterday when the last of her Company quitted her from which Circumstance It is hoped that every Article of Provisions as well as most of her Effects will be saved. At daylight I accompanied Capt. Hunter to Cascade Bay where we met Lieutt Ball & Capt Hunter Settled the Number of Men to be sent to Port Jackson Convicts Carrying my things to Cascade Bay where they were sent onbd ye Supply & the Sirius's Ships Company Clearing the Wreck of the Main Mast.
Monday	22nd	SW; WSW; WbN	A very heavy Surf		Fresh Gales & Cloudy at 8 AM. Every person in the Settlement were assembled under the lower Flagg-Staff. where the Union was hoisted. The Troops were drawn up in two lines, leaving the Union at their head in the Center, with the Colours of the detatchment displayed; The Sirius's Ships Company on the right & ye Convicts on the left; the Officers in the Center, When the proclamation was read, declaring the Law Martial, to be that by which the the Island was in future to be governd by, untill further orders. The Lieutt Governor addressed the Convicts, after which the Whole gave three Cheers, & then every person beginning with the Lieut Governor & Capt. Hunter passed under the Union in token of a promise or oath to submit & be amenable to the Law Martial then declared. The Convicts & Sirius's Ships Company were then sent round to Cascade Bay, where a proportion of Flour & pork were received from the Supply & brought round to the Settlement. Several things belonging to myself were also sent onboard the Supply. At 9 in the Morning John Branagan & Wm Dring Convicts having offered to go onboard the Sirius & heave over board the live stock that remained onboard had permission from the Lt Governor & Capt. Hunter. They sent A Number of Pigs &c onshore but neglected coming on shore themselves. At dusk in ye Evening perceived they had a light, & fearing an Accident by fire. Some Volleys of Small Arms were fired but the light not being put out a three pounder shotter was fired at the Ship, which had one Effect. John Ancott a Carpenter offered to go off to the Ship & altho the Surf was very high, he got onboard, & obliged the other two Convicts to quit the Ship, by the Hawser, Ancott remains onbd ye Ship all night
Tuesday	23rd	Do	good Landing.		Strong Gales. at Day light The Supply working up at Nine Sent the large Coble off with some of my Things & the Officers &c of the Sirius at 10 there being too great a Sea in the Bay she bore up & ran for Cascade Bay at day light The Master of the Sirius & eight Men went onboard by the Hawser. A triangle was erected on the Reef to keep the bight of the Hawser up, which will greatly facilitate the Getting Provisions &c out of the Wreck — Mr H The Master of the Sirius informed Capt. Hunter by a letter, +ye two Convicts had set fire to the Ship which had burnt thro' ye gun deck but was happily Extinguished by the Man that went onboard to send them out. +Jno Brannagan & Wm Dring were taken into Custody, & will be tried for setting fire to ye Wreck
Wednesday	24th	SSW	Do		Moderate Breezes & pleasant Wr at 8 A.M. I went in the Coble to Cascade Bay where I found the Supply & Embarked onboard her as did Lieutts Fowell & Waterhouse with 22 of the Sirius's Company. at 12 we Saild for Port Jackson When I left Sydney Bay there was every appearance of seeing every thing that remained onboard the Wreck & The provisions will not be damaged as every thing is on the Gun, & upper decks —

                 

Week days 1790	Mo Days	Winds	Course	Distce	Lattde in	Longde in	Bearing &c —	Transactions & Weather from Norfolk Island to Port Jackson
Thursday	25th	SWbW; SSW; South	S70° W	9′8	29.35	166.31	Lord Howe Island S70° W 400 Miles	Moderate Breezes a great Swell from the Southward, some part of the 24 hours Calm — saw a great quantity of Tropic Birds round the Vessell I think from ye vast quantitys of these birds which are about the Islands at this time that they have a peculiar Season. In the Spring & summer scarce any are to be seen.
Friday	26th	South	West	40	29.35	165.46	S70° W 357′	Light winds with calms during most part of the night. The Swell from ye Southward still continues
Saturday	27th	E.S.E.	S60 W	151′	30.48	162.59	S76° W 200′	At 9 AM came on a gentle breeze at ESE a great Swell from the Southward continues, which is very confused & short.
Sunday	28th	East	S71W	130	31.27	160.42	N88° W 279′	Moderate Gales & very Pleasant Weather with a very great Sea from the Southward
Monday	29	ENE	S43° W	45′	32.08	158.30	Port Jackson S74W 370′	Moderate Breezes & Cloudy Wr The Swell is not so great as Yesterday.
Tuesday	30th	Do	S66°W	67′	32.36	157.03	S75° W 295′	Moderate & hazey Wr with a very great Swell at 11 P.M. saw Lord Howe Island bearing SWbW 10 Leagues.
Wednesday	31st	NE	S66°W	96	33.01	155.11	S75° W 194	Do Wr at 3 AM Mount Gower NbW 5 or 6 miles passed between Pt King & Balls Pyramid — The Weather very pleasant & smooth water.
Thursday	1st	NE	S57° W	109	34.00	153.23	N85 W 98′	Very pleasant Weather & smooth Water. The Winds rather light & variable.

 

Friday

2nd

SW; NW

S57° W

109

No obs'e

153.23

N85 W 98′

Moderate Breezes & hazey Wr at 6 A.M. saw the land bearing West about 10 Leagues. at Noon the Nort Land bore NbW. ye Hatt Hill NWbW. ye Southery land South & Cape three points SW½W distance from the Nearest Shore about 4 Leagues.

(The entry opposite is written on a loose strip of paper — perhaps a book mark. Although dated 5th April 1790, we believe it should be placed here. Eds.)

Monday 5^th April 1790

This is a record of the return from Norfolk I^d to Sydney & describes the measures which had become necessary on the loss of H M S Sirius at Norfolk I^d:

       

Week days	Mo days	Winds	Observations &c
Saturday	3rd	SSE	Fresh Breezes & Cloudy Weather at 6 P.M. Cape Three points SWbW. & Hatt Hill NW½N In the Night had Squally Weather with heavy Thunder lightning & Rain Working to the Southward for Port Jackson — We find a Strong Current Setting to the Southward.
Sunday	4th	SE	Fresh Breezes & Squally at day light the Entrance of Port Jackson bore WbS 7 Leagues at 8 oclock bore in Within the heads Worked up the harbour at 9 left the Supply & met the Governor Coming down in his boat. The Astonishment which our unfortunate acc[ount]s Respecting the loss of the Sirius occasioned is fully seen in the Countenance of every one here This Settlement has been at less than half allowance since [*] March — It is really wonderfull that No Vessells have yet arrived
Monday	5th	West	Moderate & Cloudy Weather. In the Evening all the Military & staff were assembled at the Government house, when his Excellency laid before every one present the Situation of the Colony, respecting the Provisions, which was become necessary from the unfortunate loss of His Majestys Ship Sirius. The Governor pointed out the Great Necessity their was for an immediate Reduction of the Present Rations. Every persons opinion was asked respecting how Robbing Gardens cd be prevented. & what was the best made ye cd be adopted for procuring fish to make a saving of the Salt provisions. when it was determined to Call in all private Boats & to Employ them fishing for the publick that an Officer was to Superintend the Fishery. That the Game keepers were to kill kangaroo for the Publick & that the following Ration shorts commence on ye 12 of this Month. Two pounds & half of flour Two pounds of Pork, & two pounds of Rice for seven Men for one day. at which Ration there will be Pork untill ye 26th August. Rice untill ye 13th Septr & Flour untill ye 19th of December. The Supply is also to be sent to Batavia for Provisions & Her Commander is ordered to take a Ship up to bring a further Supply. I am to go onbd ye above Vessell & to make the best of my way to England with Governor Phillips dispatches — Sailed from Port Jackson ye 17th April — Carried on in The Loggs Private Remarks in this —