2

Statement respecting the voyage
and wreck of the Brig "Maria"
bound to New Guinea
by
Thomas Tate
Surgeon to the Expedition

Left Sydney on Jan^y 25, 1872.
Experienced light head winds for many
days after starting till off the South
Solitarias, when strong S.E. winds set in,
which we carried with us to within 300
miles of New Guinea. The wind changed
on Feb. 12 to the N.W. which appeared to
have the character of the Monsoons. This
wind gradually increased in violence till
it blew a strong gale which lasted for
7 days. During this time we occasionally
"lay to" but we generally ran before it
under bare poles. On the 18^th a heavy
sea struck the stern which carried
away the wheel & tiller, and on the
following day another sea struck
the ship on ther broadside, which caused
her to spring a leak. From this time
till the vessel was wrecked the pumps
had to be manned about 3 times every
two hours to keep the leak under

In consequence of this
dangerous state of the vessel
and the discomfort on board
nineteen members of the Expedition

[Marginalia]

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Jan^y 25.

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Feb 12^th

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Feb 18^th

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Feb 19^th