The Three Voyages of Captain Cook Round the World. Vol. II. Being the Second of the First VoyageCook, James
History
The Three Voyages of Captain Cook Round the World. Vol. II. Being the Second of the First Voyage
Cook, James
Cook, James, 1728-1779 -- Travel; Explorers -- Great Britain -- Biography; Voyages around the world -- History -- 18th century
While we lay at anchor for the night, we found that the ship made about
fifteen inches water an hour, from which no immediate danger was to be
apprehended; and at six o’clock in the morning, we weighed and stood to
the N. W., still edging in for the land with a gentle breeze at S. S. E.
At nine we passed close without two small islands that lie in latitude
15° 41ʹ S. and about four leagues from the main: to reach these islands
had, in the height of our distress, been the object of our hope, or
perhaps rather of our wishes, and therefore I called them HOPE ISLANDS.
At noon we were about three leagues from the land, and in latitude 15°
37ʹ S.; the northernmost part of the main in sight bore N. 30 W.; and
Hope Islands extended from S. 30 E. to S. 40 E. In this situation we had
twelve fathom water, and several sand-banks without us. At this time the
leak had not increased; but that we might be prepared for all events, we
got the sail ready for another fothering. In the afternoon, having a
gentle breeze at S. E. by E., I sent out the master with two boats, as
well to sound a-head of the ship, as to look out for a harbour where we
might repair our defects, and put the ship in a proper trim. At three
o’clock, we saw an opening that had the appearance of a harbour, and
stood off and on while the boats examined it; but they soon found that
there was not depth of water in it sufficient for the ship. When it was
near sunset, there being many shoals about us, we anchored in four
fathom, at the distance of about two miles from the shore, the land
extending from N. ½ E. to S. by E. ½ E. The pinnace was still out with
one of the mates; but at nine o’clock she returned, and reported, that
about two leagues to leeward she had discovered just such a harbour as
we wanted, in which there was a sufficient rise of water, and every
other convenience that could be desired, either for laying the ship
ashore, or heaving her down.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account