Description
The first printed chart of Port Jackson dated August 10th, 1789 from the first survey of Port Jackson by Captain John Hunter.
Shows the port from the Heads to Homebush Bay with soundings of the entire harbour. The map also shows a recommended route into the harbour avoiding the shoals (now called the Sow & Pigs) at the entrance to the southern arm of the harbour. There are notes on the occurrence of fresh water and some names given to to features. The Supply, the first ship of the fleet, arrived at Botany Bay on 18 January 1788 and was joined the next morning by the Alexander, Friendship and Scarborough. The remaining seven ships arrived on 20 January. Although Botany Bay was the initial site chosen by the Admiralty, it was soon clear to Governor Arthur Phillip that it was not suitable for the intended settlement, as there was little fresh water, and the shallow bay did not provide sufficient shelter from prevailing winds. Phillip ventured north to investigate Port Jackson and finding it to be an excellent natural harbour , decided that it would be the site of the new colony.
