Colonel William Paterson, Grant and Barrallier explore the Coal River

Colonel William Paterson, Grant and Barrallier explore the Coal River (lower Hunter River) on the Lady Nelson and see "the fires of the natives and many individuals" opposite Ash Island. Near the mouth of the Hunter River, Grant sees an abundance of fish that the Aborigines take “in great quantities and of various kinds, particularly mullets”. Aboriginal women are the main fishers: “The lobsters were caught by the women who, in the sea front dived down among the rocks for them”.