At last the first two ships, the Duke of York and the Lady Mary Pelham are within sight of land. The Duke of York is the first to arrive, reaching the coast of Kangaroo Island on 26 July and sailing safely into Nepean Bay mid-morning on 27th. A beautiful rainbow greets them on arrival, a sign to the ever-faithful Captain Morgan that God continues to smile on their enterprise. He gives thanks that they have been delivered safely from their travels on the ‘tempestious ocean’. There is some consternation shortly afterwards as they realise that they have sailed into harbour on a flood tide, which promptly recedes leaving them aground. But luckily the sea is calm and they are able to float free safely.
Of course they are keen to explore the Island and a small party promptly sets off for the shore. Samuel Stephens claims the honour of being the ‘first who ever set foot on the shore as a settler in the Colony of South A.’ Over the next few days they set about exploring and searching for fresh water. They find a river, which Stephens names the Morgan in honour of the captain. It will later be re-named the Cygnet, by which name it is known today. Although the distances are not great, the little party also discovers one of the hazards of Kangaroo Island almost immediately, when the party becomes lost in thick scrub around the river. It will be late on the next day before they reach the ship in safety, after many anxious hours without food or water. The Duke of York is a very welcome sight. Doubly so, since they find that the Lady Mary Pelham has also arrived in the interim and is anchored alongside. The little settlement seems set to begin in earnest.
The remaining vessels are spaced at intervals over the long sea route. High seas and storms continue to afflict the John Pirie and the poor animals are suffering badly. There is a fair chance that they will not survive much longer, unless the weather improves. The Africaine also runs into rough weather, and Captain Duff calls all able bodied men on deck in the middle of the night, to help haul in the sails. The Buffalo meanwhile is still tacking in English waters waiting for favourable conditions to set sail. The enforced delay does allow for an unusual ceremony on board however, as Governor Hindmarsh exercises his new-found authority to issue licenses enabling three couples to be married before the entire ship’s company. They all troupe to the Governor’s cabin afterwards where they are ‘regaled’ with refreshments, then continue the celebrations on deck with wine, singing and dancing. It is an optimistic start to their journey south.
