16th July 1898

Saturday

3.30am dropped anchor outside Cairns, 8:30 got up anchor
and proceeded up harbour flying signals for a pilot, 09:30 arrived by
1st Beacon weather misty the signals could not be seen and the pilot not
coming off we had to drop anchor again 10:30 pilot came off but it was
then too late to proceed as their was not enough water on the bar for us
to cross, 4,30pm got up anchor and proceeded up harbour only just
enough water on the Bar then all hands had to get right forward in the
eyes of the ship to bring her stern up 6pm moored ship off Cairns a very
picturesque looking place surrounded by Mountains all the houses are
built of corrugated Iron except only a few of the new building which
have a skeleton frame of Brick work all the inside of wood.