b'917A leather cosh with brass wire binding and weighted end, 19th century,38cm long$120200 18S.J. NEELEA Sketch of Two Boats & a Cutter with Sliding Keels, agreeable to a Scheme suggested by Captain Schank, of the Royal Navy,copper engraving, circa 1790,61 x 51.5cm$500600 19View of the LADY NELSON in the THAMESwood engraving from The Narrative of a Voyage of Discovery, performed in His Majestys Vessel the Lady Nelson in the years 1800, 1801, and 1802. by James Grant, published in London in 1803.14 x 19.5cm (image).On 13 November 1798, a small 60-ton brig-rigged ship, fitted with an unusual sliding keel system for work in shallow waters, was launched at the Royal Navys Deptford Dockyard. Because of her diminutive size she soon acquired the nickname HM Tinderbox, although officially she was Lady Nelson. Philip Gidley King was in England preparing to replace Governor Hunter, and he persuaded the Admiralty to assign the new ship for exploration and communication in New South Wales.Under the command of Lieutenant James Grant and with only 14 men, she reached the Cape in July 1800, where Grant received news of the discovery of Bass Strait. After a three-month layover to avoid the winter weather, the ship resumed her voyage, now aiming to transit the strait en route to Port Jackson. She became the first ship to do so from west to east and after 10 weeks continuous sailing from the Cape reached her destination.$20030015'