The Three Voyages of Captain Cook Round the World, Vol. III. Being the First of the Second VoyageCook, James
History
The Three Voyages of Captain Cook Round the World, Vol. III. Being the First of the Second Voyage
Cook, James
Cook, James, 1728-1779 -- Travel; Explorers -- Great Britain -- Biography; Voyages around the world -- History -- 18th century
At eight o’clock next morning, being the 8th, we wore, and lay on the
other tack; the gale was a little abated, but the sea ran too high to
make sail, any more than the fore-top-mast stay-sail. In the evening,
being in the latitude of 49° 40ʹ south, and 1-1/2° east of the Cape, we
saw two penguins, and some sea or rock weed, which occasioned us to
sound, without finding ground at 100 fathoms. At eight, P. M. we wore,
and lay with our heads to the N. E. till three o’clock in the morning of
the 9th, then wore again to the southward, the wind blowing in squalls,
attended with showers of snow. At eight, being something more moderate,
I made the Adventure signal to make sail, and soon after made sail
ourselves under the courses, and close-reefed top-sails. In the evening,
took in the top-sails and main-sail, and brought to, under fore-sail and
mizzen; thermometer at 36°. The wind, still at N. W., blew a fresh gale,
accompanied with a very high sea. In the night, had a pretty smart frost
with snow.
In the morning of the 10th, we made sail under courses and top-sails
close-reefed; and made the signal for the Adventure to make sail and
lead. At eight o’clock, saw an island of ice to the westward of us,
being then in the latitude of 50° 40ʹ south, and longitude 2° 0ʹ east of
the Cape of Good Hope. Soon after, the wind moderated, and we let all
the reefs out of the top-sails, got the spritsail-yard out, and
top-gallant-mast up. The weather coming hazy, I called the Adventure by
signal under my stern; which was no sooner done, than the haze increased
so much, with snow and sleet, that we did not see an island of ice,
which we were steering directly for, till we were less than a mile from
it. I judged it to be about 50 feet high, and half a mile in circuit. It
was flat at top, and its sides rose in a perpendicular direction,
against which the sea broke exceedingly high. Captain Furneaux at first
took this ice for land, and hauled off from it, until called back by
signal. As the weather was foggy, it was necessary to proceed with
caution. We therefore reefed our topsails, and at the same time sounded,
but found no ground with 150 fathoms. We kept on to the southward with
the wind at north till night, which we spent in making short trips,
first one way and then another, under an easy sail; thermometer this 24
hours from 36-1/2 to 31.
At day-light in the morning of the 11th, we made sail to the southward
with the wind at west, having a fresh gale, attended with sleet and
snow. At noon we were in the latitude of 51° 50ʹ S., and longitude 21°
3ʹ E., where we saw some white birds about the size of pigeons, with
blackish bills and feet. I never saw any such before; and Mr. Forster
had no knowledge of them. I believe them to be of the peterel tribe, and
natives of these icy seas. At this time we passed between two ice
islands, which lay at a little distance from each other.
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