As no appearance of a change in our favour seemed likely to take
place, Governor Phillip at this time signified his intention of shifting
his pennant from the Sirius to the 'Supply', and proceeding on his
voyage without waiting for the rest of the fleet, which was formed in
two divisions. The first consisting of three transports, known to be the
best sailors, was put under the command of a Lieutenant of the navy;
and the remaining three, with the victuallers, left in charge of Captain
Hunter, of his Majesty's ship Sirius. In the last division was the
vessel, in which the author of this narrative served. Various causes
prevented the separation from taking place until the 25th, when several
sawyers, carpenters, blacksmiths, and other mechanics, were shifted
from different ships into the 'Supply', in order to facilitate his
Excellency's intention of forwarding the necessary buildings to be
erected at Botany Bay, by the time the rest of the fleet might be
expected to arrive. Lieutenant Governor Ross, and the Staff of the
marine battalion, also removed from the Sirius into the Scarborough
transport, one of the ships of the first division, in order to afford
every assistance which the public service might receive, by their being
early on the spot on which our future operations were to be conducted.
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