Some clarification is perhaps needed over the anchorage point of the "Java".
William Richards in his diary said that it was Holdfast Bay despite the fact that
the poster advertising the sailing of the vessel said it was bound for Port
Adelaide. What might be a good guide is in an article which appeared in the
"Adelaide Observer", 3rd April 1880, page 567. John Bond Phipson, writing of the
day he arrived in 1838 in the "Rajasthan" said the following :
"We anchored, as
all other vessels over 300 and 400 tons did, at Holdfast Bay, several miles from shore. Vessels of smaller tonnage would proceed up the stream, cross over the bar
and go to the Old Port, then situate a mile or two inland than the present Port.
Boats would convey the passenger's, luggage, &c., to land. the wooden framed
houses manufactured and packed in England to be at once put up on landing here
and other flotable articles were generally pitched overboard and then tided in
to what is now known as Patawalonga Creek."
It is my belief that the "Java" then, two years later on February 6th, in
fact on the day that the "Rajasthan" made its return visit to Adelaide did in
fact anchor at Holdfast Bay. Other authorities have indicated that it was at
Port Misery but I cannot verify this.
