BUSINESS IS BUSINESS

Reading an article, "Glenrock Lagoon, Mary Bryant and the discovery of coal", in the Australian National Maritime Museum Volunteers ALL HANDS magazine of June 2007, I noticed a reference that the convict William Bryant had been able to "acquire" a compass, a crude chart, a quadrant, two muskets and ammunition before he set off on March 28, 1791 on his ill-fated journey.

It just so happens that there is also a record of the first Dutch ship to trade with the new British Colony of NSW.

Shortly after 26 January 1788 when the British flag was raised in the new Colony food supplies brought from England and elsewhere en route ran short. Most of the ships in the First Fleet had been chartered from the East India Company and had already left for India after unloading their cargo.

Governor Phillip had given orders that in the event of food shortages new supplies could be obtained from Cape Town or Batavia. The two supply ships that were sent to Batavia sustained damage and could not return to Sydney.

A small Dutch sailing ship, the "Waaksaamheid" (Vigilance) arrived in Sydney in December 1790 with a cargo of rice and butter.

Although the captain, Detmer Smith, carried written authorisation to sell or charter the ship and the cargo, the price he asked was exorbitant. Governor Phillip postponed the deal for a few weeks and Captain Smith, tired of waiting, accepted a lower but still reasonable offer. The "Waaksaamheid" left for Batavia with Smith on board as a passenger and the ship under command of a British captain.

Shortly thereafter five convicts escaped in a boat belonging to the "Sirius" using a chart and navigation instruments bought from Detmer Smith. They reached the island of Timor after a terrible voyage.

The "Waaksaamheid" was the source where William Bryant bought his navigation instruments from.

For a long time after this incident Dutch vessels were not welcome in Sydney, although the Dutch were probably more popular among the convicts.

John Papenhuyzen,

Sydney, 10 Oct. 09

Source:

THE NETHERLANDS AND AUSTRALIA

Two Hundred Years of Friendship

ISBN: 90-71894-05-3