The Three Voyages of Captain Cook Round the World. Vol. VII. Being the Third of the Third VoyageKing, James
History
The Three Voyages of Captain Cook Round the World. Vol. VII. Being the Third of the Third Voyage
King, James
Cook, James, 1728-1779 -- Travel; Explorers -- Great Britain -- Biography; Voyages around the world -- History -- 18th century
I have been thus particular, in giving a minute description of this
coast, from our own experience of the want of it. For had we been
furnished with a tolerable account of the form of the coast, on each
side of Awatska Bay, we should on our first arrival upon it, have got
safely within the bay two days before we did, and thereby have avoided
part of the stormy weather, which came on when we were plying off the
mouth of the harbour. Besides, from the prevalence of fogs in these
seas, it must frequently happen, that an observation for ascertaining
the latitude cannot be got; to which we may add, that the deceptive
appearances land makes, when covered with snow, and when viewed through
an hazy atmosphere, both which circumstances prevail here, during the
greatest part of the year, render the knowledge of a variety of
discriminating objects the more necessary.
Should, however, the weather be clear enough to admit a view of the
mountains on the coast in its neighbourhood, these will serve to point
out the situation of Awatska Bay, with a great deal of precision. For to
the south of it are two high mountains; that which is nearest the bay,
is shaped like a sugar-loaf; the other, which is farther inland, does
not appear so high, and is flat at the top. To the north of the bay, are
three very conspicuous mountains; the westernmost is, to appearance, the
highest; the next is the _volcano_ mountain, which may be known from the
smoke that issues from its top, and likewise from some high table-hills
connected with it, and stretching to the northward: these two are
somewhat peaked. The third, and the most northerly, might perhaps be
more properly called a cluster of mountains, as it presents to the sight
several flat tops.
When the navigator has got within the capes, and into the outward bay, a
perpendicular head-land, with a light-house erected upon it, will point
out the entrance of the bay of Awatska to the northward. To the eastward
of this head-land lie many sunken rocks, stretching into the sea, to the
distance of two or three miles; and which will show themselves, if there
be but a moderate sea or swell. Four miles to the south of the entrance
lies a small round island, very distinguishable from being principally
composed of high pointed rocks, with one of them strikingly remarkable,
as being much larger, more peaked and perpendicular than the rest.
It is no way necessary to be equally particular in the description of
the bay itself, as of its approaches and environs; since no words can
give the mariner so perfect an idea of it, as the annexed plan. From
this it will appear, that the entrance is at first near three miles
wide, and in the narrowest part one mile and a half, and four miles
long, in a north north-west direction. Within the mouth is a noble bason
of twenty-five miles circuit, with the capacious harbours of Tarcinska
to the west, of Rakoweena to the east, and the small one of Saint Peter
and Saint Paul, where we lay, to the north.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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