HMS Mermaid is anchored in the Endeavour River

27th July 1820

On this day 27th July 1820, Allan Cunningham was aboard HMS Mermaid, anchored off a beach on the Endeavour River, just near the spot where Captain Cook had anchored some years before. The river was calm and provided enough shelter to carry out much needed repairs. During his stay here he was able to go ashore to collect botanical specimens. He probably would have reflected on the earlier visit of his patron, Sir Joseph Banks who had collected in the area when he sailed with Captain James Cook. ¹

This locality was investigated when Allan Cunningham accompanied Phillip Parker King and his crew on his third survey of the Australian Coast between June and December 1820.

1. Source:: Hordern, Marsden C. King of the Australian Coast: The Work of Phillip Parker King in the Mermaid and Bathurst, 1817-1822. Carlton: Miegunyah, 1997. Print. [↩]