For this reason, many American whalers migrated to London and served on British whaling ships transporting convicts to New South Wales.

Captain Eber Bunker, 30 years old at the time, was selected to be Master of one of these convict transport ships, the William and Ann.

The William and Ann departed from Plymouth, England on 27 March 1791, with its cargo of 188 convicts and a company of soldiers.

Leaving Port Jackson on 24 October 1791, Bunker of the William and Ann and Captain Thomas Melvill of the Britannia led the first ever whaling expedition in Australian waters.

Bunker and William Raven led a second expedition to Dusky Sound in New Zealand before returning to England with seal skins, in addition to whale oil.

Later in 1803, Governor King chartered Bunker and Albion to carry the first settlers, along with stores and cattle, to Risdon Cove on the Derwent River in Tasmania.

In August 1806, after the voyage to Tasmania, he arrived in Sydney as master of the Elizabeth, bringing his wife Margrett and five children from England to live with him.

Apparently, this did not slow Bunker down, as in May 1808 he sailed in the brig Pegasus for New Zealand, Tongatapu and New Caledonia in search of the Harrington, which had been stolen by convicts.

In the summer of 1809, Bunker conducted a sealing expedition off southern New Zealand in the Pegasus, where he charted Foveaux Strait.

After he was granted permission to send stock and shepherds to the south and west of Bargo and Keepit on the Namoi River, Bunker established a regular supply of fresh meat to the Government Stores.

In 1814 at Governor Macquarie's request he returned to England aboard the Seringapatam, which the American frigate Essex had captured, and which mutineers and prisoners of war had retaken at the Marquesas.

In 1821, Bunker was promised a grant of 600 acres (243 hectares) at Ravensworth on the Hunter River, and was given a permit to proceed to the country south and west of Bargo with 100 cattle and two servants.

Once described by Governor Macquarie as 'a very able and expert Seaman... and of a Most respectable Character', he had been a leading member of the community in New South Wales.