Keywords: SLNSW 820578 Document signed by Lieutenant Henry Lidgbird Ball Supply Sydney Cove 7 Apr 1788.jpg 1 box - 0 13 Meters ; Textual Records ; Textual Records - printed ; Drawings David Blackburn was born at Newbury Berkshire on 1 January 1753 to Reverend John Blackburn and Elizabeth nee Martineau ; In April 1787 following a term of unemployment he was no 226 on the navy office list Blackburn was appointed Master of Supply bound for Botany Bay Supply and Sirius provided the naval escort for the First Fleet comprising 11 vessels in total Supply was an armed tender and rated at 170 tons carrying eight guns and 50 men ; Once the Fleet arrived at Botany Bay Blackburn was in the first expedition party to explore Sydney Harbour On 17 February 1788 the Commander of Supply Lieutenant Henry Lidgbird Ball discovered Lord Howe Island while en route to Norfolk Island to land the first settlers there On the return journey to Port Jackson Ball charted the island ; In 1790 Lieutenant Ball fell ill in Batavia and Blackburn took command of Supply taking her back to Port Jackson and making two voyages to Norfolk Island Governor Phillip appointed him acting Commander of Supply in March 1791 Ball resumed command in November 1791 when Supply sailed for England Upon reaching England in May 1792 Blackburn was discharged and appointed to HMS Dictator in September 1793 ; Blackburn died on 10 January 1795 at the Haslar naval Hospital in Gosport Hampshire of a probable consumptive complaint Acquired from Christie's London auction 17 Sept 1999; formerly in the possession of Eliza Burrows sister of David Blackburn and her descendants This series of letters is also discussed and transcribed in Blackburn's Isle / by Derek Neville Suffolk Terence Dalton Limited c1975 located at ML 991 9/9 9A Microfilm copy available at CY 4084 frames 1-179 ; A microfilm copy of this collection is also located at AJCP Reel M971 ; See also other letters by David Blackburn held by the Mitchell Library 2 letters to Richard Knight 12 July 1788 and 19 Mar 1791 with list of native names and their English equivalents located at ZSafe 1/120 formerly Ab163 issue microfilm CY 1301; and copies of 2 letters to P G King 13 25 Oct 1788 located at C187 pp 22 30-31 Blackburn David 1753-1795 Australia -- Discovery and exploration ; New South Wales -- History -- 1788-1851 a128427 820578 Document signed by Lieutenant Henry Lidgbird Ball Supply Sydney Cove 7 Apr 1788 Arthur Phillip David Blackburn |