Curio

State Library of New South Wales
Journal kept on board the Sirius during a voyage to New South Wales, May 1787 – March 1791

Journal kept on board the Sirius during a voyage to New South Wales, May 1787 – March 1791

Dixson Library, State Library of NSW; Bequest of Sir William Dixson, 1952; DLMS 164, p. 100

Bound manuscript

HMS Sirius was sunk at Norfolk Island in 1790. John Hunter (Second Captain) was later court martialled and honourably acquitted for this event.
John Hunter’s name is commemorated in historic locations including the Hunter Valley, New South Wales and Hunter Street, Sydney.
During the First Fleet surveys, John Hunter was the first to guess that Tasmania might be an island.
John Hunter served as the second governor of New South Wales from 1795 to 1800.
John Hunter sailed with the First Fleet in 1787 as second captain on board HMS Sirius.
In 1795, John Hunter was appointed Governor of New South Wales succeeding Arthur Phillip.