Great report Pirate
It sure was a great day out on the lakes (and river).
Just one little thing re Captain Cook (I have just finished reading a book by David Hill called "1788" - The brutal truth of the First Fleet - the biggest single overseas migration the world had ever seen.
It touches on many historical facts - including the American Revolution, prior to which America had been a dumping ground for British convicts.
I think you must have mixed up the 1788 First Fleet date with Cook's earlier voyage of discovery in 1770.
Here's a brief quote from Wikipedia:
Quote:
In April 1770 the Endeavour became the first seagoing vessel to reach the east coast of Australia, when Cook went ashore at what is now known as Botany Bay
It's intersting to note that the Endeavour was decommisioned in 1774 and
Quote:
briefly returned to naval service as a troop transport during the American Revolution and was deliberately scuttled in a blockade of Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island in 1778. Her wreck has not been precisely located, but relics including six of her cannons and an anchor are displayed at maritime museums worldwide.
BTW Lieutenant William Bradley played a prominent part in the First Fleet.
Any relation pirate me old mate