in sight bore S. 63° W. and some high land, which makes like an Island lying under the Main, bore S.S.E., distant 5 Leagues. The bottom of the Bay[1] we are now in, and which bears from us S. we cannot see, altho' it is very Clear in that Quarter. Our Latitude by Observation is 40° 27′ S., Long. 184° 39′ West.[2]
Monday, 15th.—Fore and Middle parts, fresh breezes between the W. and N.W. and fair weather. At 8 p.m. we were within 2 Leagues of the Land, we discover'd in the morning, having run 10 Leagues since Noon; the land seen then bearing S. 63° W. bore now N. 59° W., distant 7 or 8 Leagues and makes like an Island. Between this land or Island and Cape Egmont is a very broad and Deep Bay or inlet the S.W. side of which we are now upon, and here the Land is of a Considerable height, distinguished by Hills and Valleys, and the Shore seems to form several Bays, into one of which I intend to go with the Ship in order to Careen her (she being very foul) and to repair some few defects, recruit our Stock of Wood, Water, etc. With this View we Keept plying on and off all Night, having from 80 to 63 fathoms Water; at daylight stood in for an inlet which runs in S.W.[3] At 8 a.m. we were got within the Entrance which may be known by a Reef of Rocks stretching off from the N.W. point, and some rocky Islands lying off the S.E. point. At 9 o'clock being little wind and Variable we were carried by the Tide or Current within 2 Cables length of the N.W. Shore where we had 54 fathoms, but with the help of our Boats we got Clear, at this time we saw rise up twice near the Ship a Sea Lyon, the Head of which was Exactly like the head of the Male one described by Lord Anson. We likewise saw a Canoe with some of the Natives cross the Bay, and a Village situated upon a point of an Island, which lies 7 or 8 miles with the Entrance. At Noon we were the length of this Island, and being little wind had the Boats ahead Towing.
- ↑ This was the Northern part of Cook's Strait, but it was thought at the time to be a bay.
- ↑ The western side of the North Island, which Cook took such trouble to follow, is 400 miles long, and is a most dangerous coast to explore, on account of the winds being mostly on shore. This prevented him from getting very close; and he missed the entrances to several harbours, such as the Manukau, the Waikato River, Whaingaroa, and others. No canoes were seen, as the coast is not favourable for such craft.
- ↑ Queen Charlotte's Sound, in the north-east part of the Middle Island.
