The Sydney Gazette 5 February 1809

THE Estramina which sailed for Hunter’s River a fortnight since, with W. Lawson, C. Throsby, W. Davidson and ---Kent, Esquires, on board, was by strong southerly winds driven to Port Stephens, between 20 and 30 miles to the Northward of King’s town, from whence the above Gentlemen chose rather to travel on foot, than await a change of the wind; the journey was performed in the course of a day, which was extremely hot, and rendered still more disagreeable by a 20 miles traverse on a deep sandy beach, where a drop of fresh water was not to be procured. From Mr. Throsby we have the satisfaction to state, that this accidental inconvenience may be productive of future benefit, as he had reason to suppose from observation, strengthened by the information of the natives, that there was a fine fresh water river in that neighbourhood, the banks of which were wooded with immense quantities of cedar. The ‘Estramina’ got safe into King’s town on the second day after, and returned here on Thursday with Messrs. Throsby, Davidson & Kent; also Lieutenant Villiers, of His Majesty’s New South Wales Corps and Lady.