Page:Captain Cook's Journal during His First Voyage Round the World.djvu/79

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Nov. 1768.]
Nearing Rio Janeiro.
17

55 to 10 fathoms. Wind S.S.E., S.S.W., S.; course S. 62° 15′ W.; distance 28 m.; lat. 21° 29′ S.

Thursday, 10th—Moderate breezes and Hazey upon the Land. Stood in for the Shore S.W. ½ W. Depth of water from 10 to 9 fathoms and from 9 to 16 fathoms, being then 4 Leagues from the Land. From 16 fathoms it shoalded gradually to 5 fathoms; then we tacked, being about 1½ Leagues from the Shore. The extreams of the Land to the Southward, which we took for Cape St. Thomas, bore S. ¾ W., distance 4 leagues. The Land from Cape St. Thomas to the Northward lies N. by E. ½ E. Along the Shore is low land covered with Wood and Sandy Beaches, but inland are very high Mountains, the greatest part of them being hid in the Clouds. Stood off until 5 in the Morning E. and E. by S. Depth of Water 10, 20, 16, 23, and 30 fathoms. At Noon Latitude Observed 21° 30′; Depth of Water 14 fathoms; Grey sand with black Specks. Extreams of the Land from S.W. by W. to N.N.W.; distance 12 or 14 leagues. Wind S.S.E., S.E. by S., S. by E.; course E. ¼ S.; distance 17 m.; lat. 21° 30′ S., long. 37° 43′ W. per account.

Friday, 11th.—First and Latter parts, moderate breezes and fair, but Cloudy and Hazey over the Land; middle, a fresh breeze and Cloudy. At 8 tack'd and Stood to the N.E. Extream of the Land to the southward, which we took for Cape St. Thomas, S.W. ½ S.; distance 5 or 6 leagues; Depth of Water 13 fathoms, Grey sand. At 11 am. tack'd in 14 fathoms and Stood to the S.S.E., and at 3 a.m. Stood over a Shoal or Bank of 6 fathoms, afterwards the Depth increased to 30 fathoms, at Noon in 36 fathoms. Lat. Observed 22° 37′ S., which is 10 miles to the Southward of the Log. No Land in sight. Wind S.E. to E.; course S. 5° W.; distance 67 m.; lat. 23° 37′ S., long. 37° 49′ W.

Saturday, 12th.—Genteel breezes and fine Clear weather. At 2 p.m. Sounded, but had no ground with 38 fathoms, and soon after sounded and had none at 50 fathoms, from which it appears that we are to the Southward of the Bank we have been upon this 2 days past. It Extends off from the Land between the Latitude 21° and 22° nor less than 18 or 20 Leagues, How much farther I know not. Standing in from Sea, the Depth of Water very soon diminisheth from 30 to 20 and 17 fathoms, afterwards gradually from 9, 8 and even to 6 fathoms; but between this Shoal Water and the Main, which is 6 or 7 leagues, you will have 10, 12 and even 16 fathoms, till you come within 2 or 3 leagues of the Shore. The Bottom is of Various kinds, sometimes Coral Rocks, Coral Rocks and broken Shells, Coarse sand and broken Shells, Small Stones and at other times fine Sand varying at almost every Cast of the Lead. At 5 p.m. saw the Land bearing N.W. by W. ½ W., distance 10 or 12 leagues, which proved to be the Island of Cape Frio; it