Johns River

The inland fires were most likely sizable to be seen from Cook’s distance

 First Known Sighting of the Johns River area by a European.   S. Pereira, a Portuguese sailor was believed to be in the crow’s nest

“The Three Brothers” was the name of the first ship Cook piloted, sailing from Yorkshire to London, hauling coal.

Smoke Fires from the Local Birpai or Ngamba People, Sighted by Cook

Saturday, 12th. 

Winds Southerly, a gentle breeze in the P.M. As we run along Shore we saw several smokes a little way in land from the Sea, and one upon the Top of a hill, which was the first we have seen upon elevated ground since we have been upon the Coast.

At sunset we were in 23 fathoms, and about a League and a half from the land, the Northermost part of  which we had in sight bore North 13 degrees East; and 3 remarkable large high hills lying Contigious to each other, and not far from the shore, bore North-North-West.

As these Hills bore some resemblance to each other we called them the Three Brothers. We steer’d North-East by North all Night, having from 27 to 67 fathoms, from 2 to 5 and 6 Leagues from the Land, and at day light we steer’d North for the Northermost land we had in sight.

At noon we were 4 Leagues from the Land, and by observation in the Latitude of 31 degrees 18 minutes South, which was 15 miles to the Southward of that given by the Log.

Our Course and distance made good since Yesterday noon was North 24 degrees East, 48 miles. Longitude 206 degrees 58 minutes West; several smokes seen a little way in land