1770.
June.
\Yednef. 13,
anchored in four fathom, at the diftance of about two miles
from the Ihore, the land extending from N. f E. to S. by E. 4 E.
The pinnace was ftill out with one of the mates; but at nine
o’clock £he returned, and reported, that about two leagues to
leeward fhe had difcovered juft fuch a harbour as we wanted,
in which there was a fufficient rife o f water, and every other
convenience that could be defired, either for laying the fhip
alhore, or heaving her down.
In confequence of this information, I weighed at fix o’clock
Thurfday 14* in the morning, and haying fent two boats ahead, to lie
upon the Ihoals that we faw in our way, we ran down to the
place; but notwithftanding our precaution, we were once in
three fathom water. As foon as thefe Ihoals were palled, I
fent the boats to lie in the channel that led to the harbour,
and by this time it began to blow. It was happy for us that
a place of refuge was at hand ; for we foon found that the
Ihip would not work, having twice miffed flays: our flotation,
however, though it might have been much worfe, was
not without danger; we were'entangled among Ihoals, and
I had great reafon to fear being driven to leeward, before
the boats could place themfelves Co as to prefcribe our courfe.
I therefore anchored in four fathom, about a mile from the
Chore, and then made the fignal for the boats to come on
board. When this was done I went myfelf and buoyed the
channel, which I found very narrow; the harbour alfo I
found fmaller .than I expefted, but moft excellently adapted
to .our purpofe j and it is remarkable, that in the whole
courfe of our voyage we had feen no place which, in our
prefent circumftances, could have afforded us the fame relief.
At noon, our latitude was 15° 26' S. During all the reft
of this day, and the whole night, it blew too frefli for us to
yenture from our anchor and run into the harbour ; and for
* our
our farther fecurity, we got down the top-gallant yards, un- 1770.
bent the mainfail and fome of the fmall fails ; got down the ■ jLlne' „■
fore-top-gallant maft, and the gibbboom, and fprit-fail, with Th“rKay H’
a view to lighten the ihip forwards as much as poffible, in
order to come at her leak, which we fuppofed to be fome-
where in that part; for in all the joy of our unexpected deliverance,
we had not forgot that at this time there was nothing
but a lock of wool between us and deftruftion. The
gale continuing, we kept our ffiation all the 15th. On the Friday,
16th, it was fomewhat more moderate; and about fix o’clock Sunday is,
in the morning, we hove the cable lhort, with a defign to
get under fail, but were obliged to defift, and veer it out
again. It is remarkable that the fea breeze, which blew
frefti when we anchored, continued, to do fo almoft every day
while we flayed, here ; it was- calm, only while we were upon,
the rock, except once; and even the gale that afterwards
wafted us-to the fhore, would then certainly have beaten-us
to pieces. In the evening, of the preceding day, we had ob-
ferved a fire near the beach over againft us ;- and as it would
be neceffary for us to flay fometime in this place, we were
not without hope of making an acquaintance with the people.
We faw more fires upon the hills to-day, and with our
glafies difcovered four Indians going along the fhore, who
flopped’, and made two fires; but for what purpofe it was.
impoffible we fhould guefs..
The fcurvy now began to make its appearance among us,
with many formidable fymptoms. Our poor Indian, Tupia,
who had fome time before complained that his gums were
fore and fwelled, and who had taken plentifully of our lemon
juice by the Surgeon’s direction, had now livid fpots:
upon his legs, and other indubitable teftimonies- that the
difeafe had made a rapid progrefs, notwithftanding all our
remedies, among which the bark had been liberally adminiftered;.