Page:Captain Cook's Journal during His First Voyage Round the World.djvu/198

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122
Cook's Journal.—First Voyage.
[Aug. 1769.

thing but vegetables, so that they are not at all to be depended upon at Sea. The fowls also have a complaint general among them which affects their heads, so that they continue holding it down betwixt their Legs until they die; this at least was the fate of most of ours. This is necessary to be known to those who come such Voyages as these, least they place too much dependance on the live stock they get at the Islands.

Wednesday, 16th.—Fresh breezes and Cloudy the first part; in the night, Squally, with rain; remainder, moderate and fair weather. At 8 a.m. saw the Appearances of high land to the Eastward; bore up towards it, but at 10 we discover'd it to be only Clouds, at which we hauld our wind to the Southward. At Noon found the Ship by Observation 21 Miles to the Northward of the Log, which may in some measure be owing to a S.W. swell we have had all the last 24 hours. Wind N. by W., W., W. by S.; course S. 15° E.; distance 62 m.; lat. 25° 00′ S., long. 150° 19′ W.

Thursday, 17th.—A Gentle breeze with some flying showers of rain. Had a large Swell from the S.W. all this day, much larger than yesterday, and this must be the reason why the observ'd Latitude differ'd from the Log again to day 16 miles. Wind W. by S. to S.W. by S.; course S.S.E.; distance 76 m.; lat. 26° 10′ S., long. 149° 46′ W.

Friday, 18th.—The first part Calm; remainder light breezes and Clear. Variation per Amplitude in the evening 8° 8′ E.; in the Morning 7° 56′ E. Carpenters employed repairing the Boats. The S.W. swell still Continues, but not so much as Yesterday, and the observed Latitude and Log agrees. Wind Calm, North; course S. 18° E.; distance 38 m.; lat. 26° 48′ S., long. 149° 42′ W.

Saturday, 19th.—Little wind with much rain in the night, the S.W. swell still Continues, from which I conclude that there is no land near us in that Quarter. Wind N.W.; course S.E. by S.; distance 62 m.; lat. 27° 40′ S.; long. 149° 6′ W.

Sunday, 20th.—Little wind all this day. Saw a large Albetross. Wind N.W.; course S.E. by S.; distance 57 m.; lat. 28° 24′ S., long. 148° 25′ W.

Monday, 21st.—Fresh Gales and Hazey weather. Saw 2 Pintado Birds, the first I have seen this Voyage; they are larger than a Pidgeon and checquer'd black and white over their backs and wings, with white Bellies, Black heads, and the end of their Tails black.[1] Wind N.N.W.; course S. by E.; distance 80 m.; lat. 29° 44’ S., long. 148° 22’ W.

Tuesday, 22nd.—First part Strong Gales with much rain, Thunder, and Lightning; remainder moderate and fair weather. About Noon saw some rock weed, an Albetross, and some Smaller

  1. Cape pigeons, Daption Capensis.