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The stay at Coepang was a long one, for scurvy and sickness was rife amongst the crews and many died. During the time Captain Hamelin of the NATURALISTE was absent from his consort, he had been busy along the coast. The Swan River was explored by Bailly the naturalist, and the island of Rottnest examined.
No punishment can be more dreadful to these savages the most indolent race in the world than being compelled to work; and as their idleness brings them occasionally in contact with the superintendent's lash, their recollections and accounts of Rottnest are of the most fearful description.
In the forenoon of the 23rd we saw the lighthouse of Rottnest; and regarded it with great interest, as the work of the aborigines imprisoned on the island.
"In the meantime the days fixed by Captain Hamelin to wait for the GEOGRAPHE had expired, and we had heard nothing of her, nor did it now appear likely that we should obtain any news of her by staying any longer on this coast, we therefore determined to sail for Endracht's Land, leaving on this island of Rottnest a flag, and a bottle with a letter for the Commander, in case he should touch there."
A restless anxiety preyed upon his mind, and he grew thin and feeble; but still whenever a sail was seen coming round the north end of Rottnest, and approaching the port, he would seize his staff, and set out upon his long journey to Fremantle to inquire if there were, at last, a letter awaiting him.
The French Expedition Buonaparte's lavish outfitting Baudin in the Geographe Coast casualties Sterile and barren appearance Privations of the crew Sails for Timor Hamelin in the NATURALISTE Explores North-Western coast Swan River Isle of Rottnest Joins her consort at Coepang Sails for Van Dieman's Land Examination of the South-East coast of Australia Flinders' prior visit ignored French names substituted Discontent among crew Baudin's unpopularity Bad food Port Jackson Captain King's Voyages Adventures in the MERMAID An extensive commission Allan Cunningham, botanist Search at Seal Islands for memorial of Flinders' visit Seed sowing Jeopardy to voyage Giant anthills An aboriginal Stoic Cape Arnhem and west coast exploration Macquarie Strait Audacity of natives Botanical results satisfactory Malay Fleet Raffles Bay Port Essington Attack by natives Cape Van Dieman Malay Teachings Timor and its Rajah Return to Port Second Voyage MERMAID and LADY NELSON East Coast Cleveland Bay Cocoa-nuts and pumice stones Endeavour River Thieving natives Geological formation of adjacent country Remarkable coincidences Across Gulf of Carpentaria Inland excursion Cambridge Gulf Ophthalmia amongst crew MERMAID returns to port.
It was nearly the end of August when we approached the conclusion of our voyage. The wind was fair, the sun shone brightly, and every heart was gay with the hope of once more being upon land. We drew nigh to the Island of Rottnest, about sixteen miles from the mouth of the river Swan, and anchored to the north of it, waiting for a pilot from Fremantle.
The opposite bank of the river displayed a sandy country covered with dark scrub; and beyond this was the sea, with a view of Rottnest and the Straggler rocks. A few white cottages relieved the sombre and death-like appearance of that opposite shore.
Then come some large rocks, called the Stragglers, leaving a passage out from the roadstead by the south of Rottnest; after these is Carnac, an island abounding with rabbits and mutton-birds; and still farther south is Garden island. Fremantle, the principal port of the colony, is unfortunately situated, as vessels of any burthen are obliged to anchor at a considerable distance from the shore.
As it would have entailed a serious expense upon the colony to have had to maintain these prisoners in a gaol in the capital, his Excellency determined to establish a penal settlement at Rottnest; and this he accordingly accomplished, with very good effect. At the time we visited the island, there were about twenty native prisoners in charge of a superintendent and a few soldiers.
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