Correspondence with the Colonial Secretary's Office

3 On the 18^th February (20) twenty of the members of the expedition requested to be put on shore at any Port in the Colony of Queensland & or New South Wales and that they would give up their interest in the venture. The majority of the Members consented to that arrangement and the vessel was accordingly headed for Moreton Bay on the 19^th. The gale moderated that day at twelve o'clock but an unfavorable wind occurring on the 21^st, it was decided to steer for Cleveland Bay to which port we were making when the unfortunate accident happened. We sighted the reef on the 23^rd Feb^y at about three in the afternoon. We saw no more reefs until 1 A.M of the 25^th when there was a cry of Breakers ahead. The course was then altered to the North in order to clear this reef. After clearing this reef she was again kept on her present cours [sic] During the day reefs were continually seen and in the evening we seemed to be surrounded on the reefs the Main topsail was backed in order to keep her in her position. Land was seen at about 5 P.M bearing