A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels Volume Xvii Part 37

Robert Beans, lieutenant Thomas Clark, master John King, boatswain John Bulkeley, gunner John c.u.mmins, carpenter Thomas Harvey, purser Robert Elliot, surgeon's mate John Jones, master's mate John Snow, ditto The Hon. John Byron, midshipman Alexander Campbell, ditto Isaac Morris, ditto Thomas Maclean, cook Richard Phipps, boatswain's mate John Mooring, ditto Matthew Langley, gunner's mate Guy Broadwater, c.o.xswain Samuel Stook, seaman Joseph Clinch, ditto John Duck, ditto Peter Plastow, captain's steward John Pitman, butcher David Buckley, quarter-gunner Richard n.o.ble, quarter-master William Moore, captain's cook George Smith, seaman Benjamin Smith, ditto William Oram, carpenter's mate John Hart, joiner John Bosman, seaman William Harvey, quarter-gunner Richard East, seaman Samuel Cooper, ditto Job Barns, ditto Joseph Butler, ditto William Rose, quarter-master John Sh.o.r.eham, seaman John Hayes, ditto Henry Stephens, ditto William Callicutt, ditto John Russel, armourer James MacCawle, seaman William Lane, ditto James Roach, ditto John George, ditto John Young, cooper Moses Lewis, gunner's mate Nicholas Griselham, seaman."

Monday the 12th, at day-light, launch'd the long-boat, and gave her the name of the Speedwell, (which G.o.d preserved to deliver us) we got all the provision on board, and other necessaries. The captain sent for the lieutenant, myself, and the carpenter, desiring us to leave him what could be spared, and to send to the deserters to know if they will go in the yawl to the northward, we promised to grant him his request. To-day every body got on board. The captain, surgeon, and Mr H----n, had their share of provisions equal with us.

Tuesday the 13th, we sent the barge to the deserters, with Mr S----w, the mate, to know if they were willing to tarry, and go with the captain to the northward, to acquaint them what provision and necessaries should be allow'd 'em: They readily agreed to tarry. On the return of the boat, deliver'd to the captain the share of provision for the deserters, and sundry necessaries, as under-mentioned, viz.

Six hand-grenadoes, five half barrels of powder, two caggs of musket-b.a.l.l.s, Lieutenant H----n's pistols and gun, one pair of pistols for the captain, twelve musket-flints, six pistol-flints, sundry carpenter's tools, half a pint of sweet oil, two swords of the captain's own, five muskets, twelve pistol b.a.l.l.s, one bible, one azimuth compa.s.s, one quadrant, and one Gunter's scale.

Provision deliver'd to the captain, surgeon, and Lieutenant K----n, with eight deserters, which last are to be at half allowance of the quant.i.ty made out to the people, which make the whole number seven at whole allowance.

To the captain, surgeon, and Lieutenant H----n, six pieces of beef, six pieces of pork, and ninety pound of flour; for the deserters, eight pieces of beef, eight pieces of pork, one hundred weight of flour.

As soon as the above things were delivered, we got ready for sailing. I went and took my leave of the captain; he repeated his injunction, that at my return to England I would impartially relate all proceedings: He spoke to me in the most tender and affectionate manner, and, as a token of his friendship and regard for me, desired me to accept of a suit of his best wearing apparel: At parting he gave me his hand with a great deal of chearfulness, wishing me well and safe to England. This was the last time I ever saw the unfortunate Captain C----p. However, we hope to see him again in England, that Mr c.u.mmins and myself may be freed from some heavy imputations to our prejudice, laid on us by the gentleman who succeeded him in command, and who, having an opportunity of arriving before us in England, not only in the places he touched at abroad, but at home, has blackened us with the greatest calumnies, and by an imperfect narrative, has not only traduced us, but made the whole affair so dark and mystical, that till the captain's arrival the l----s of the a----y will not decide for or against us. But if that unfortunate captain never returns to his country, let us do so much justice to his character, to declare that he was a gentleman possessed of many virtues: He was an excellent seaman himself, and loved a seaman; as for personal bravery, no man, had a larger share of it; even when a prisoner he preserved the dignity of a commander, no misfortune could dispirit or deject him, and fear was a weakness he was entirely a stranger to; the loss of the ship was the loss of him; he knew how to govern while he was a commander on board, but when things were brought to confusion and disorder, he thought to establish his command ash.o.r.e by his courage, and to suppress the least insult on his authority on the first occasion; an instance of this was seen on the boatswain's first appearing ash.o.r.e--shooting Mr Cozens, and treating him in the manner he did after his confinement, was highly resented by the people, who soon got the power in their own hands; the officers only had the name, and they were often compelled, for the preservation of their lives, to comply sometimes with their most unreasonable demands; and it is a miracle, amidst the wildness and distraction of the people, that there was no more bloodshed.

At eleven in the forenoon, the whole body of people embarked, to the number of eighty-one souls, fifty-nine on board the vessel, on board the cutter twelve, and in the barge ten. At noon got under sail, the wind at N.W. by W. The captain, surgeon, and Mr H----n, being on the sh.o.r.e side, we gave them three cheers, which they returned. Coming out of Wager's Bay, split the foresail, and very narrowly escaped the rocks; with the a.s.sistance of the barge and our own oars, tow'd her clear, and bore away into a large sandy bay, on the south side of the lagoon, which we called by the name of the Speedwell Bay. At four in the afternoon, anch.o.r.ed in ten fathom fine sand, the barge and cutter went ash.o.r.e, there not being room on board the boat to lodge the people.

Wednesday the 14th, fresh gales at S.W. and W., with rain. At three this afternoon, being fair weather, weigh'd, and came to sail to take a cruize up the lagoon, to try the vessel, it being smooth water she work'd very well; after three or four trips returned, and anchor'd where we came from.

"These are to certify the right honourable the lords commissioners for executing the office of lord high admiral of Great Britain, That we, whose names are under-mentioned, do beg leave to acquaint your lordships that Captain David Cheap, our late commander in his majesty's ship Wager, having publicly declared, that he will never go off this spot, at his own request desires to be left behind; but Captain Pemberton, of his majesty's land forces, having confined him a prisoner for the death of Mr Henry Cozens, midshipman, with Lieutenant Hamilton, for breaking his confinement, did insist on delivering them up on the beach to the charge of Lieutenant Beans, but he, with his officers and people, consulting the ill consequences that might attend carrying two prisoners off in so small a vessel, and for so long and tedious a pa.s.sage as we are likely to have, and that they might have opportunities of acting such things in secret as may prove destructive to the whole body; and also in regard to the chief article of life, as the greatest part of the people must be obliged at every place we stop, to go on sh.o.r.e in search of provisions, and there being now no less than eighty-one souls in this small vessel, which we hope to be delivered in, we therefore, to prevent any difficulties to be added to the unforeseen we have to encounter with, think proper to agree, and in order to prevent murder, to comply with Captain David Cheap's request: The surgeon also begs leave to be left with him. Dated on board the Speedwell schooner, in Cheap's Bay, this 14th day of October, 1741.

Robert Beans, lieutenant Thomas Clark, master John King, boatswain John Bulkeley, gunner John c.u.mmins, master Robert Elliot, surgeon's mate John Jones, master's mate John Snow, ditto Captain Pemberton, of his majesty's land forces Vincent Oakley, surgeon of ditto."

Thursday the 15th, this morning it being calm, made a signal for the boats to come off, by firing five muskets. At day-light came to sail, with the wind at W. by N. It blowing hard, and a great swell, the vessel would not work, therefore we were obliged to put into a small bay, lying S.W. of Harvey's Bay, where we had very good shelter, there being a large ledge of rocks without us, which broke the sea off. At eleven we sent the barge to Cheap's Bay, for what canva.s.s could be found serviceable, having left a sufficient quant.i.ty behind to supply us with sails, in case we wanted 'em.

Went in the barge the Hon. John Byron, at his own request, Alexander Campbell, midshipman; William Harvey, quarter-gunner; David Buckley, ditto; William Rose, quarter-master; Richard n.o.ble, ditto; Peter Plastow, captain's steward; Joseph Clinch, seaman, and Rowland Crusset, marine. This afternoon the carpenter went ash.o.r.e in the cutter, with several of the people, to look for provender. Shot several geese, and other sea-fowl.

Rainy weather. Wind W.N.W.

Friday the 16th, continual rain, and hard gales all night at S.W. This morning the carpenter came on board, and acquainted us that he saw an anchor of seven feet in the shank, the palm of each arm filed off just above the crown: This anchor we suppose to have belonged to some small vessel wreck'd on the coast. The cutter brought off abundance of sh.e.l.l-fish ready dress'd for the people.

Sunday, the 18th, at noon, the cutter came off, and brought aboard plenty of sh.e.l.l-fish and greens. The Hon. Mr B----n, Mr C----l, and three of the barge's crew, came from where the barge lay. Mr B----n came aboard, and inform'd us of the barge being safe in the bay where we left her, and only waited the opportunity of weather to come round with her: At the same time he desired to know if we would give him, and those who would stay with Captain C----p, their share of provisions. This question of Mr B----n's very much surprized us; and what surprized us more was, that he should be influenced by Mr C----l, a person whom he always held in contempt. As for my part, I believe Mr B----n left us because he could not get an accommodation aboard the vessel that he liked, being obliged to lie forward with the men; as were also the carpenter and myself when below: It is very certain, that we are so closely pent up for want of room, that the worst jail in England is a palace to our present situation.

Tuesday the 20th, served out to the people eight days' flour, to be dress'd ash.o.r.e. I went in the cutter to command in my turn for a week.

Wednesday the 21st, close weather; the wind from W. to N.W., with rain and hail. Brought aboard sh.e.l.l-fish in abundance. At noon the Honourable Mr B----n came with some of the crew over-land; he ask'd me whether the boat's crew were gone off, and if we had served the provision, for he wanted to return to the barge. I told him all the people were out a-fishing, and that the first who came in should carry him off. On which he said, I think we will go and get some fish too, having nothing else to live on. This was the last time I ever saw his honour. When the people return'd from fishing, they told me Mr B----n had lost his hat, the wind blowing it off his head.

I said, rather than he should want a hat I would give him my own. One of the seamen forced a hat on his head; his name was John Duck: But Mr B----n would by no means wear it, saying, John, I thank you, if I accept of your kindness you must go bareheaded, and I think I can bear hardships as well as the best of you, and must use myself to them. I took eight people and went overland to the place where the barge lay, to get the canva.s.s that we stood so much in need of, but found that she was gone from thence. The people in the barge told our men that they would return to us again, but it is plain they never intended it.

Thursday the 22d, this day we saw sea-fowl in vast flocks, flying to the southward, where was a dead whale. Look'd out all this day for the barge, but to no purpose. The barge not returning was a very great misfortune, having no boat but the cutter; and if by an unlucky accident we lose her, we must be reduced to the greatest extremities to get provision. The persons in the barge, except the captain's steward, always approved of going to the southward, but it seems Mr C----l, the poltron, prevail'd on 'em to return to Captain C----p.

Friday the 23d, saw thousands of sea-fowl; in the morning they fly to the northward, and in the evening come back to the south; they are birds of a very large size, but of what kind we do not know. Since we have been here we saw several Indian graves; they are dug just within the surface of the earth, with a board on each side, and a cross stuck, up at the head. The day following, a gun, a four-pounder, was seen near the anchor in Clam Bay; we call it by this name, because of the vast quant.i.ties of this sort of sh.e.l.l-fish which are found there.

Monday the 26th, it being very calm and fair weather, I went ash.o.r.e to bring off the people; weigh'd the longboat, and took her in tow over a bar where there was ten feet water, but a great swell; as soon as we got over the bar there sprung up a breeze of wind at N.W., steer'd away S. 1/2 E.

for the southmost part of land, which bore S. by E., distant fourteen leagues. The two points of land make a large and deep sandy bay, we sounded but found no ground; it is a bold sh.o.r.e close to. I kept a-head in the cutter, in order to provide a harbour for the long-boat; Providence directed us to a very good one: It blew so hard, with thick hazy weather, that we could not keep the sea. At eight at night we anchor'd in eight fathom water, a-breast of a fine sandy bay, and land-locked not above three boats length from the sh.o.r.e: At the entrance of the harbour, which lies about a league up the lagoon, I set the land, the northmost point bore by the compa.s.s N. by E., distant twelve leagues, and the southmost S. by W., distant five leagues; the entrance lies E.

Tuesday the 27th, fresh gales at west, and cloudy weather, with a great swell without, insomuch that we could not put out to sea; we therefore sent the people ash.o.r.e to dress their provisions; each man is allow'd but a quarter of a pound of flour per day, without any other subsistence but what Providence brings in our way.

Thursday, the 29th, early this morning it being calm and thick weather, with small rain, we rowed out of the lagoon; at five it cleared up, with a fresh breeze at S.S.E., steer'd S.W. and S.W. by W., saw a small island bearing S. by W., the southmost end S. by E. This island we called the rock of Dundee, it being much like that island in the West-Indies, but not so large; it lieth about four leagues distant from the southmost point of land out at sea. This day it blow'd so hard that we were obliged to take the cutter in tow.

Friday the 30th, hard gales, and a great sea; saw some islands and some sunken rocks; at six saw the main in two points of land, with a large opening; on each side the sunken rocks are innumerable; the entrance is so dangerous, that no mortal would attempt it unless his case was desperate as ours, we have nothing but death before our eyes in keeping the sea, and the same prospect in running in with the land: We ran in before the wind to the opening that appear'd between the two points, the northmost of which bore N. by E., and the southmost S. by E. We steered in east, and found the opening to be a large lagoon on the southmost side, running into a very good harbour; here our small vessel lay secure in a cove, which nature had form'd like a dock; we had no occasion to let go our anchor, but ran alongside the land, and made fast our head and stern. The people went ash.o.r.e in search of provision; here we found plenty of wood and water, and fine large muscles in great quant.i.ties. Served to each man half a piece of beef.

Sat.u.r.day the 31st, this morning cast loose and row'd towards the mouth of the lagoons, designing to put out to sea, but the wind blew so hard that we were obliged to come to an anchor. This afternoon, in weighing the grapnel in order to go to the cove, we found it foul among some rocks, all hands haul'd, took a turn round the main-mast and went aft, which weighed the grapnel, but straightened one of the flukes: Here the land is very high and steep on each side, the carpenter and cooper were on the highest of these hills, and found deep ponds of water on the top of them; these hills are very rocky, and there are great falls of water all along the coast: The whole navy of England may lie with safety in many of those lagoons, but the coast is too dangerous for any ship to fall in with the land. The people today were very much afflicted with the gripes and pains in their side.

Here are abundance of trees, not unlike our yew-trees, they are not above seven or eight inches in diameter, and the bark is like cedar. The land is to appearance very good, but on digging beneath the surface we find it almost an entire stone. We saw no people here, though it is plain there have been some lately, by their wigwams or huts. We are so closely pent up for want of room, that our lodging is very uncomfortable; the stench of the men's wet cloaths makes the air we breathe nauseous to that degree, that one would think it impossible for a man to live below. We came to sail, and steered out of the lagoon west; went into a sandy bay one league to the southward of the lagoon. Indian huts to be seen, but no natives.

Monday November 2d, at five in the morning, came to sail with the wind at S. and S. by E. At noon the wind came to the W. and W.N.W. in small breezes. This day I had a very good observation, it being the first since we left Cheap's Island. We found ourselves in the lat.i.tude of 50 0' S.

After observing, bore away and ran into a fine smooth pa.s.sage between the island and the main. These islands I believe to be the same that are taken notice of in Cook's voyage. From the entrance to the northward, to the going out of the Cape of Good Hope (as we call it) the distance is about six leagues, and the depth of the water is from two fathom to twelve; the northmost land before we came into the pa.s.sage bore N. by W., and the southmost, or Cape of Good Hope, bore S. by E. In the evening anch.o.r.ed in a fine sandy bay; here we also saw Indian huts, but no people. To-day we shot wild geese in abundance, and got of sh.e.l.l-fish, as limpets and muscles.

Tuesday the 3d, at four this morning weighed, and came to sail with the wind at W., till we got about the Cape of Good Hope, then at W.N.W., steering S., and a tumbling sea from the W. The cutter steer'd S. by E.

into a deep bay; supposing them not to see the southmost land, we made the signal for her, by hoisting an ensign at the topping-lift; as the cutter was coming up to us her square sail splitted, we offer'd to take them in tow, but they would not accept it; we lay with our sails down some time before they would show any signal of making sail; coming before the wind, and a large sea, we ordered them to steer away for the southmost point of land after us, and to keep as near us as possible; but, instead of observing our directions, they steered away into the cod of a deep bay, supposed to be King's Bay: The cutter being much to leeward, and the weather being very thick, we were obliged to steer after her, but soon lost sight of her. The place being exceeding dangerous, we could not venture any farther after the cutter, therefore we hauled by the wind to the southward, it continued blowing hard, with thick weather, with sunken rocks and breakers, so that we were obliged to bear away before the wind into a large bay, the tide running rampant, and in a great swell, every where surrounded with sunken rocks, that we thought nothing but a miracle could save us: at last we got safe into the bay, and came to in two fathom water, we steered in east. At four this morning rowed out between the islands, after we got out had a fresh breeze at N.W., steered out S.S.W. then S. and S. by E., the cutter a-head. At seven in the morning a-breast of Cape Good Hope, saw a large high rock bearing S., steered S. by E., going within it, and the main a-breast of the rocks, saw a long point making into islands bearing S. by E., steer'd S. until a-breast of them: The same day saw a very high land, with a low point running off in small hommacoes, bearing from the northmost point S. by E. about eighteen leagues; between those two points is a large deep bay, all within surrounded with rocks and small islands, steered S. and S. by W. for the outermost point, the cutter keeping within, and we considering the ill consequence of being embayed, to prevent which we hauled the mainsail and foresail down, and kept the vessel before the wind; at eleven the cutter came alongside, with her mainsail split; we called to them to take hold of a tow-rope, but they refused, telling us that the boat would not bear towing, by reason of the swell of the sea, therefore they would have us nearer the sh.o.r.e, where we should have smooth water; we answered them that the water was smoother without, and nothing nigh the sea that runs within; besides, we shall be embay'd, therefore we desire you to come on board the vessel, and we'll take the boat in tow: They had no regard to what we said; we at the same time, for above a quarter of an hour, lay in the trough of the sea, with a fair wind: The people in the cutter would neither make sail nor row, at last, finding them obstinate, we hoisted a skirt of the mainsail, and edged farther off, S. by W.; when they found we would not go into that bay, they hoisted their mainsail, and went a-head; being some distance a-head, we made sail, the cutter still keeping a-head till one o'clock, then she bore away S. by E.

and S.S.E., the reason of which we could not tell, it blowing very hard, with a great sea, nothing before us but rocks and breakers, therefore of consequence the farther in the sea must be the greater. At half an hour past two, the cutter being on the beam, and four miles within us, we bore away after them, and in a very heavy squall of wind and rain we lost sight of her: After the squall was over it cleared up, but we saw nothing of the cutter, nor could we clear the sh.o.r.e to the northward, being not above two miles off the breakers; therefore we were under a necessity of hauling to the southward for self-preservation, and very narrowly escaped clearing the rocks: After running about three leagues, saw an opening, where we hoped to find a good harbour; Bore away for the opening, we were here again surrounded with rocks and breakers, with a hard gale of wind and a great sea, the oldest seaman on board never saw a more dismal prospect; we ran in before the wind for about two leagues; expecting every rise and fall of the sea to be a wreck, but Providence at length conducted us to an indifferent place of shelter: We were now in a most wretched condition, having no boat to go ash.o.r.e in, to seek for provender, and the greatest part of the people on board are so regardless of life, that they really appear quite indifferent whether they shall live or die, and it is with much intreaty that any of them can be prevailed on to come upon deck, to a.s.sist for their preservation.

The people's names in the cutter are as follow, viz.

Names. Quality. Age. Where born.

Thomas Harvey, purser, 23 Westminster.

John Mooring, boatswain's mate, 34 Gosport.

William Oram, carpenter's crew, 28 Philadelphia.

Richard Phipps, boatswain's mate, 30 Bristol.

Matthew Lively, gunner's mate, 34 Exeter.

John George, seaman, 22 Wandsworth.

Nicholas Griselham, ditto, 31 Ipswich.

James Stewart, ditto, 35 Aberdeen.

James Roach, ditto, 21 Cork.

James Butler, ditto, 32 Dublin.

John Allen, ditto, 18 Gosport.

Wednesday the 4th, hard gales at W.N.W., and a great sea without; served out flour and a piece of beef to two men for a week's subsistence; the weather is so bad that there is no other food to be got.

Thursday the 5th, little wind at S.W., with heavy rains; at six this morning went under sail, but could make no hand of it, therefore were obliged to put back again: As soon as we came to an anchor, the boatswain employed himself in making a raft to get ash.o.r.e with; this raft was made with oars and water barrels; when it was made, and over the side, it would carry three men, but it was no sooner put off from the vessel's side but it canted, and obliged the people to swim for their lives; the boatswain got hold of the raft, and with some difficulty reach'd the sh.o.r.e; when he came off in the evening, he informed us he had seen a beef puncheon, which gave us some reason to apprehend some other ship of the squadron had suffered our fate.

Friday the 6th, this morning went under sail, the wind at W.N.W., with fresh gales and heavy rain, the wind came to the westward, and a great sea, so that we could not turn out over the bar: In our putting back we saw the cutter, a very agreeable sight, which gave us new life; in the evening anch.o.r.ed at the place sailed from, the carpenter and others went ash.o.r.e to get sh.e.l.l-fish, which we stood in great need of; at night the proper boat's crew would not go ash.o.r.e with the boat as usual, but made her fast a-stern of the vessel, with only two men in her, she never being left without four before; at eleven at night one of the men came out of her into the vessel, it blowing very hard at N.N.E., in half an hour shifted to N.W., and rainy weather, that we could not see a boat's length: At two the next morning the cutter broke loose from the stern of the vessel; we called from on board to James Stewart, the man that was in her, but he could not hear us: In a short time we lost sight of her, believing she must be stove among the rocks. The loss of the cutter gives the few thinking people aboard a great deal of uneasiness; we have seventy-two men in the vessel, and not above six of that number that gives themselves the least concern for the preservation of their lives, but are rather the reverse, being ripe for mutiny and destruction; this is a great affliction to the lieutenant, myself, and the carpenter, we know not what to do to bring them under any command, they have troubled us to that degree, that we are weary of our lives; therefore, this day we have told the people, that unless they alter their conduct, and subject themselves to command, that we will leave them to themselves, and take our chance in this desolate part of the globe, rather than give ourselves any farther concern about so many thoughtless wretches. Divided the people into four watches, to make more room below.

The people have promised to be under government, and seem much easier.

Sunday the 8th, this morning the people requested provisions to be served; it being four days before the usual time, we think the request very unreasonable. We laid the inconveniences before them of breaking in upon our stores, considering the badness of the weather, and the length of our pa.s.sage, that if we are not exceedingly provident in regard to serving out provisions, we must all inevitably starve. They will not hearken to reason, therefore we are obliged to comply with their demands, and serve out provisions accordingly. Several of the people have desired to be put on sh.o.r.e, desiring us to allow them some few necessaries: We wanted to know what could induce them to request our putting them ash.o.r.e in this remote and desolate part of the world: They answered, they did not fear doing well, and doubted not but to find the cutter, which, if they did, they would go back to the northward, otherwise they would make a canoe; therefore insisted on going ash.o.r.e. On their earnest intreaties the body of people agreed to their request: We haul'd the boat close in sh.o.r.e; the people who chose to stay behind were eleven in number, we supply'd them with proper necessaries, and they signed a certificate, to inform the L---- s of the A----y, that they were not compelled to stay, but made it their own choice, and that they did it for the preservation of themselves and us.

_A Copy of their Certificate_.

"These are to certify, the right honourable the lords commissioners for executing the office of lord high admiral of Great Britain, &c. That we, whose names are undermentioned, since the misfortune of losing the cutter, have consider'd the ill conveniences and difficulties to be attended, where so great a number of people are to be carried off, therefore we have requested and desired the officers and company remaining of the same vessel to put us on sh.o.r.e, with such necessaries of life as can be conveniently spared out of the vessel. We, of our own free will and choice, do indemnify all persons from ever being call'd to an account for putting us on sh.o.r.e, or leaving us behind, contrary to our inclinations. Witness our hands, on board the Speedwell schooner, in the lat.i.tude 50 40' S. this 8th day of November, 1741. Which was signed by the following people, viz.

Mat. Langley, gunner's mate John Russel, armourer George Smith, cook's mate William Callicutt, washerman John Williamson, marine John McLeod, boatswain's servant John Hart, joiner Joseph Turner, captain's servant Luke Lyon, gunner's servant Rich. Phipps, boatswain's mate Henry Mortimer, marine.

Witness, John c.u.mmins, carpenter, John Snow, master's mate, Vincent Oakley, surgeon of the army."

Monday the 9th, at ten at night, we weigh'd and rowed out of the bay, at day-light got about four leagues right out, every way surrounded with rocks and breakers, with a great western swell: We found it a very difficult matter to get clear of these rocks and breakers; they reach along sh.o.r.e eighteen leagues, and without us at sea eight leagues; I take it, that from the land they are fourteen leagues in the offing, those sunken rocks appear like a low level land. This coast is too dangerous for shipping, the wind being three parts of the year to the westward, which blows right on the sh.o.r.e, with a large western swell, that seldom or never ceases; it always blows and rains, it is worse here than in the rainy season on the coast of Guinea, nor can we as yet distinguish summer from winter, only by the length of the days. Steered out of the bay W. by N., then S. by W., then S.

At noon I had a good observation in the lat.i.tude of 50 50' S., the northmost point of the bay bore N.E. by E. seven leagues, the southmost point of land S.S.E. twelve leagues. This coast, as far as we have come, lies N. by E. and S. by W. by the compa.s.s.