I n >
a t all .events to get a sight of it, I made the best of my Way -for
that jkupuse.
The following day# the 1s t'of November, we had no observation
a t noon; neither could we,-from the thickness .©fithh
weather,;:,gef d double altitude. , Though deprived -of’the fSbr*
meiy yet I depended iriueh on seeing the Island of Amsterdam,
in order to correct my longitude, and endeavour if possible to
land om it* I therefore-made my, arrangements for the night, in
ease of meeting with any unforeseen accident. I n-the morning
the weather proved clear, which enabled trie to see the wished-
for island at eight o’clock A. M. We steered clok along the
S fli. shore# and found frequent flurries and gusts of wind w&e-
companied with rain. Seamen in passing close in shdre otlght
to be guarded against these; for though the weather was fine
some miles from this land, insomuch that wedould carry'every
sail# yet on our approach we were obliged to come under'elcfeel
reefed topsail^ and afterwards take the fore-topsail in altoge-
ther. A thick cloud hovering over the highest peak of tM-
island indicated a t this time unsteady weather. Thejsdwho have
seen the top of the rock of Gibraltar when the.sfc'rong Levant
winds are Mowings will be able to form a- better idea of this
appearance than any thing I can say on the su b le t." s
The shore we passed along was pretty high, and inaedesfMel
until we opened the Bason describedby all navigators who h ate
visited this place,- and> which is remarkable from a- sugar-loaf
rock standing contiguous to it. This is the proffer mark given
for bringing a vessel to anchor; and it does not appear till you
are close upon it, when keeping near the shore, owing to its
being hidden by a nook of land. Great care must be faked to
have evefy thing ready for immediately, coming to an anchor,
there being awery strong outset feem the Bason, which as! felt
the moment you open the rock. In this instance we were particularly
c 6$ j
ticularly unfortunate. I have before observed, that we had
heavy flurries off the shore, and that the Peak was covered with
a cloud. -Tffe [topment we', had opened1 tbe.Bason, and got a
sight of this rock, there came on so yiolentfa: squall, with thick
sleet and rain, that the land was enti^jily; hid den from our sight;
111®: current also which setting's but very- strong had caused a
confiusdd bubbling and troublesome sea, and though wte hauled
to windward instantly!' and madeseveral tacks, in order to gain
the hank for-anchoring, -bur efforts were without effect, the wind
and current being too powerful for us. When.the squall cleared
off, we Saw .a- flag staff/and'.flag flying on tHe\ top of the Peak,
and knowing th a t pebple<we¥e often;there;killing sealsV I sup^
posed that a pa rty of these - was th e tc u t that time# wliich was
dbhfirihed’" to us, as will appear hereafter: • ^However; we could
notdiscover this party though we had an excelfenf telescope.
‘ The appearance of Amsterdam Island is not• fayourable to
the^l^b ffr'om there being no trees on it; I t is'plentifully covered
with grass! The' sea here abounds with fish and seals ; which
we'.had.an oppportunity of proving as to the former, having-
caught somhavef^H fine snappers. 1 'e did not. observe many
biedsyowing^iperhatps^ fo their being at this seasop On shore
breeding.1*’ We only^saw a flochof small white birds-with Swab
low-forked tails > a few pettrels and penguins^ anfl a; birdlre--
setohlingi a cmwj but rathe r, larger, - with a, black hack, and
white breast.? The boisterous weather probably, prevented eair
siifelhg any seals# which are saidt© be numerous about this and
the neighbouring island of St. Paul. Of- these islands-tittle
new can. - be related. ; John;;Hep:ty; Goxe, lisqi,; in his .voyage
gives a very jnst and aeburate descriptionxof them,» as far.ds I
had an opportunityb# observing. Having his Work in my possession
I referred to it as I isailed alon^.; and 1 am freo tb-def
clare,;fiSQin the accuracy of it, - that.be has left little for others
that