west five or six leagues. The log says, "The captain got within a cable length of the shore, but owing to the steepness of the rocks, and the weather coming on thick, with much sleet and snow, was the whole and sole reason of not making a successful landing."
On the 13th they met with another island, of which is said, "This island, which we have named Thompson Island, bears about N.N.E., fifteen leagues from Liverpool Island; there are also three rocks, which we named the Chimnies, to the S.W., four or five miles from Thompson Island; and another rock three miles to the southward of them. The island is in latitude 53° 56′ S., longitude 5° 30′ E."
We read, "16th December, P.M., fresh breezes and cloudy. The Lively (the consort of the Sprightly), by order, hoisted out her boat, and we manned her out of both vessels and sent her on shore, to endeavour to find a landing at the west end of the island. We sounded on its south side, and found from thirty-five to twenty fathoms, black sandy bottom, at a mile from the shore. Caught a number of small fish, resembling codfish. At 8 p.m. the boat returned, having hoisted the union jack on the shore, &c.
"On the 18th p.m., the captain gave orders for a boat to be manned from each vessel, one to go one way round the isle and one the other, and to meet at the west end."
Stormy weather almost immediately followed
