In the beginning Of 1795, captain (now vice-admiral) Hunter sailed a
second time for New South Wales, to succeed captain Phillip in the
government of the new colony. He took with him His Majesty's armed
vessels Reliance and Supply; and the author of this account, who was then
a midshipman and had not long before returned from a voyage to the South
Seas, was led by his passion for exploring new countries, to embrace the
opportunity of going out upon a station which, of all others, presented
the most ample field for his favourite pursuit.

On arriving at Port Jackson, in September of the same year, it appeared
that the investigation of the coast had not been greatly extended beyond
the three harbours; and even in these, some of the rivers were not
altogether explored. Jervis Bay, indicated but not named by captain Cook,
had been entered by lieutenant Richard Bowen; and to the north, Port
Stephens had lately been examined by Mr C. Grimes, land surveyor of the
colony, and by captain W. R. Broughton of H. M. ship Providence; but the
intermediate portions of coast, both to the north and south, were little
further known than from captain Cook's general chart; and none of the
more distant openings, marked but not explored by that celebrated
navigator, had been seen.

In Mr George Bass, surgeon of the Reliance, I had the happiness to find a
man whose ardour for discovery was not to be repressed by any obstacles,
nor deterred by danger; and with this friend a determination was formed
of completing the examination of the east coast of New South Wales, by
all such opportunities as the duty of the ship and procurable means could
admit.

BASS and FLINDERS. 1795.