1786. South Weft, ten or twelve leagues diftant, which we immediately
c---,— _i knew to be Monakaah, a high mountain on Owhyhee. During
the night, we flood to the Weft North Weft, under an eafy fail;
and at feven in the morning of the 16th, Monakaah bore South 25
deg. Weft. A confiderable Ipace on its fummit was covered with
fnow ; and I have every reafon to think, that this mountain is never ,
totally free.
During the forenoon, we fleered nearly Weft by South, about
three miles diftant from Ihore, with a fine Eafterly breeze ; but
the fea running pretty high, no canoes ventured off to us. At
two o’clock we faw Mowee, bearing North'70 deg. Weft, about
feven leagues diftant. The day being now very clear, we had an
uninterrupted view o f Monakaah, the higheft land in Owhyhee.
This mountain, though undoubtedly very lofty, has nothing
ftupendous in its appearance, the afcent to it on all fides appearing
gradual and eafy.
That part of the ifland which w r now coafted along, is very
■ beautiful. The land appears to be laid out in diftinct plantations,
every one of which feemed in a high ftate of cultivation. The
higher grounds are covered with trees, which yield a never-failing
verdure ; and in three or four places, there are abrupt breaks in
the land. Thefe chafms being well fupplied with plentiful ft reams
of fine water, render the landfcape truly delightful.
As Karakakooa Bay had been found, on lèverai accounts, an
improper place to anchor in, it was determined to examine another
bay, which lay round the South Weft. This bay had been looked'
into during Captain Cook’s ftay here, and we expefted it would
afford a good harbour ; but about four in the afternoon the breeze
died away, and feveral canoes coining from Ihore, we hove to, in
: order
order to trade with the natives, who brought hogs, plantains,
bread-fruit, potatoes, &c. which were a moft feafonable fupply in ,— |—
our prefent fituation, many of our people'being affefted with the
icurvy t indeed, when we confider how much time had elapled
fince our leaving thefe iflands laft, and how fmall a quantity of
frelh provilions we had been able to procure during that time, it
is aim oft a wonder that we Ihould enjoy fo good a ftate of health
as we did ; but this, under Providence, was owing, in fome mea-
fure, to a free ufe of various antifceptics which we had in great,
plenty on board. In the evening, and during the night, we had a
•dead calm, with hot fultry weather, attended with a good deal of
lightning.
In the morning of the 17th, a light breeze fprung up at South
South Weft, and we flood for the bay before-mentioned. However,
being willing to purchafe as many neceffaries as poflible,
Captain Portlock fent his Firft Mate (Mr. Macleod) in the whale
boat, to examine the bay ; mean while, the Ihips lay to, in ordet
to trade with the natives. At five in the afternoon, Mr. Macleod
returned, and reported, that there was no fafe anchorage in the bay;
and that not only from a bad bottom, but as the harbour was
entirelyexpofedtoSouth-Wefterlywinds, This being the cafe, our
intention of anchoring at Owhyhee was laid afide: however, it v> as
determined to keep near this part of the ifland fome time, i f the
wind would permit, as it was known to afford hogs in abundance.
During the 18th we lay to, and plied occafionally, as fuited our
•conveniency, for trade. The people were bufily employed in killing
and falting hogs for fea-ftore.
M This