"The Yawl return'd from fishing, having caught two Sting rays, whose weight was near 600 lbs. The great quantity of these sort of fish found in the place occasioned my giving it the name of Sting-Ray Harbour. Light airs and fair weather."
The Endeavour or Banks's Log, 8,959 of Museum, under date May 6, simply remarks: "Caught two Skeat whose weight was near 600 lbs."; but the ship left without naming the Stingray or Skeat Bay in this log.
The Palliser Log, a direct present from Captain Cook to his old patron, Sir Hugh Palliser, and ever since preserved in the family, though not positively in Cook's handwriting, is signed by him, and must be ever considered of the highest authority. It knows nothing of Botany Bay.
Extracts from the Palliser Log.
Remarks, &c., in Stingray Harbour:—
"Gentle breezes and settled wear. At 3 p.m. Anchor'd in 7 fa. water in a place which I called Sting-Ray Harbour, the So. point Bore S.E., and the No. pt. East Dist. from the S. Shore 1 Mile. We saw Severell of the Natives on both sides of the Harbour as we came in, and a few Hutts, women, and children, on the North Shore opposite the place were we anchor'd, and where I soon after Landed with a party of men, Accompanied by Mr. Banks, Dr. Sollander, and Tupia. As we approached the Shore the Natives all made off, except two men who at first seemed resolved to oppose our landing. We endeavour'd to gain there Consent to land by throwing them some Nails, Beeds &c. ashore, but this had not the desir'd effect but as we put in to the shore, one of them threw a Large stone at us and as soon as we landed they threw 2 darts at us but the Fireing of 2 or 3 musquets loaded with small shott they took to the woods and we saw them no more. We found here a few Old hutts made of the Bark of Trees in one of which were hid 4 or 5 children with whom we left some strings of beeds &ca. After searching for fresh water, without Success Except a little in a small hole dug in the Sand we embarqued."
Remarks on Monday, 6 May, 1770:—
"The Yawl returnd from fishing having Caught 2 Stingrays the weight of which was near 600 lb. The great quantity of these sort of fish found here. Occasioned my giving it the Name of Stingray Harbour."
THE LIEUTENANT'S LOG AND STING REA BAY
The most reliable opinion as to matters connected with a voyage may be expected from the first mate or chief officer of a vessel. Lieutenant Zackary Hickes, whose log of the ship Endeavour was recovered a few years ago, gives his "Remarks on board his Majesty's Barque Endeavour New Holland, 1770." Therein we read for successive days: