being at Batavia about 2 Years ago.[1] At 7 o'Clock a breeze sprung up at S.S.W., with which we weighed and stood to the N.E. between Thwart-the-way Island and the Cap:[2] soundings from 18 to 26 fathoms. We had but little Wind all night, and having a Strong Current against us, we got no further by 8 o'Clock in the morning than under Bantam Point. At this time the wind came to N.E., and obliged us to Anchor in 22 fathoms about 2 Miles from the Shore. The above point bore N.E. by E., distant 1 League. Here we found a strong Current setting to the N.W. In the morning we saw the Dutch packet standing after us, but after the wind Shifted to the N.E. she bore away. One of the Dutch Captains told Mr. Hicks yesterday that the Current sets constantly to the South-Westward, and that it would continue to set so for a Month or Six Weeks longer.
Thursday, 4th.—In the P.M. had the wind at N.E. by N., which obliged us to lay fast. About 6 o'Clock in the evening one of the Country Boats came alongside in which was the Commander of the Packet before mentioned; he seem'd to have 2 Motives for coming, one to take an account of the Ship, and the other to sell us refreshments, for in the Boat were Turtle, Fowls, Birds, etc., all of which they held at a pretty high Price, and had brought to a bad market, as our Savu stock was not all expended. I gave a Spanish Dollar for a small Turtle which weighed only 36 pounds. With respect to the Ship, he wanted to know her name, the Captain's, the place we came last from and were bound, as I would not see him myself. I order'd that no account should be given him from whence we came; but Mr. Hicks, who wrote the Ship's name down in his book, put down from Europe. Seeing this he expressed some surprise, and said that we might write down what we pleased, for it was of no other use than for the information of such of our Country men as might pass these Streights. At 7 o'Clock a light breeze sprung up at S.S.E., with which we got under sail. At 1 A.M. Anchor'd again, having not wind to stem the Current which we found to run 3 Knotts; at 2 o'Clock we weighed again, but, finding that we lost ground, we were obliged to Anchor in 18 fathoms, the Island Pulo Morack, which lies close under the Shore 3 Miles to the Westward of Bantam Point: bore S.E. by S,, distance 1½ miles. Latitude observed, 5° 55′ S.
Friday, 5th.—At 5 in the P.M. we weighed with a light breeze at S.W. by S., which continued not long before it fell Calm, and
- ↑ The Swallow, Captain Cartaret, had sailed with the Dolphin in 1766, but separated from her on emerging from the Strait of Magellan. The Dolphin had reached England some months before Cook sailed, but nothing had been heard of the Swallow, and fears were entertained of her loss.
- ↑ Thwart-the-Way is an island that lies right across the fairway of Sunda Strait. The Cap is another smaller island that lies N.E. of it.
