8

Ashley Goble States I was
Purser of the Maria brig bound
from Sydney to Newguinea with
an expedition for the Settlement
of that Island The vessel was
very old, and badly found
for instance we had only
boat Accomodation [sic] for about
forty three men We had no
ropes to release standing gear
should any of our rigging
be carried away. This was
owing to the negligence of the
officers of the Ship as after they
were appointed the finding of
the missing things was left
in their hands entirely
We sailed from Sydney on
the 26^th January and for the
first three days the wind being
light we made the Northward
but no northing after this. We
had light but fair winds which
took us as far North as
the South Solitary. This was
on the 5^th February where we fell
in on the City of Brisbane
Steamer and sent letters by her
to Sydney. The next day the
wind sprung up from the South
East accompanied by squalls