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
The northermost of these islands is called by the natives Eaheinomauwe,
and the southermost Tovy, or Tavai Poenammoo; yet, as I have observed
before, we are not sure whether the name Tovy Poenammoo comprehends the
whole southern island, or only part of it. The figure and extent of
these islands, with the situation of the bays and harbours they contain,
and the smaller islands that lie about them, will appear from the chart
that I have drawn, every part of which, however, I cannot vouch to be
equally accurate. The coast of Eaheinomauwe, from Cape Palliser to East
Cape, is laid down with great exactness, both in its figure, and the
course and distance from point to point; for the opportunities that
offered, and the methods that I used, were such as could scarcely admit
of an error. From East Cape to St. Maria van Diemen, the chart, though
perhaps not equally exact, is without any error of moment, except
possibly in some few places which are here, and in other parts of the
chart, distinguished by a dotted line, and which I had no opportunity to
examine: from Cape Maria van Diemen to latitude 36° 15ʹ, we were seldom
nearer the shore than between five and eight leagues; and therefore the
line that marks the sea-coast may possibly be erroneous. From latitude
36° 15ʹ, to nearly the length of Entry Island, our course was very near
the shore, and in this part of the chart therefore there can be no
material error, except perhaps at Cape Tierawitte. Between Entry Island
and Cape Palliser we were again farther from the shore, and this part of
the coast therefore may not be laid down with minute exactness; yet,
upon the whole, I am of opinion that this island will be found not much
to differ from the figure that I have given it, and that upon the coast
there are few or no harbours which are not noticed in the journal, or
delineated in the chart. I cannot however say as much of Tovy Poenammoo:
the season of the year, and the circumstances of the voyage, would not
permit me to spend so much time about this island as I had employed upon
the other; and the storms that we met with made it both difficult and
dangerous to keep near the shore. However, from Queen Charlotte’s Sound
to Cape Campbell, and as far to the S. W. as latitude 43°, the chart
will be found pretty accurate. Between latitude 43° and latitude 44° 20ʹ
the line may be doubted, for of some part of the coast which it
represents we had scarcely a view. From latitude 44° 20ʹ, to Cape
Saunders, our distance would not permit me to be particular, and the
weather was besides extremely unfavourable. From Cape Saunders to Cape
South, and even to Cape West, there is also reason to fear that the
chart will in many places be found erroneous, as we were seldom able to
keep the shore, and were sometimes blown to such a distance that it
could not be seen. From Cape West to Cape Farewell, and even to
Charlotte’s Sound, it is not more to be trusted.
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.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account