First discovery of Port Davey and Macquarie Harbour

The manuscript containing the following account is in the Society's Library at Hobart, and owing to its great historical interest the Council decided to publish same. The Manuscript is in Kelly's handwriting, and apparently was originally contained in two note books which have since been bound together as one. There is, in the Mitchell Library, Sydney, another account of this voyage. It is not in Kelly's handwriting, but is signed by him. The peculiar fact is that this second account commences the voyage on 16th December, 1815, and concludes with the completion of the journey on January 24th. The following account was evidently written some time after the completion of the voyage. As far as a printed copy will permit it is reproduced here exactly as Captain Kelly wrote it. James Kelly was born at Parramatta, N.S.W., on 24th December, 1791. His parents do not appear to have been in affluent circumstances. Although self-educated, James Kelly's natural ability soon showed itself, as he rose from cabin boy to commander. He later became the owner of several ships trading out of Hobart. Captain Kelly was appointed Harbour Master for the River Derwent on ISth April, 1819, and for many years lived at North Bruny. He died on 20th April, 1859. Original manuscript can be found at http://eprints.utas.edu.au/9819