Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

accompanied by a fwell from the S. W. or W. S. W.; there is alfo a fwell from the fame points when it is calm, and the atmosphere loaded with clouds, which is a fure indication that the winds are variable, or wefterly out at fea, for with the fettled trade-wind the weather is clear.

The meeting with wefterly winds, within the general limits of the eaftern trade, has induced some navigators to fuppofe that they were near fome large track of land, of which, however, I think they are no indication.

It has been found, both by us and the Dolphin, that the trade-wind, in these parts, does not extend farther to the fouth than twenty degrees, beyond which, we generally found a gale from the weftward; and it is reasonable to fuppofe, that when thefe winds blow ftrong, they will drive back the easterly wind, and confequently incroach upon the limits within which they conftantly blow, and thus neceffarily produce variable winds, as either happens to prevail, and a fouth wefterly fwell. This fuppofition is the more probable, as it is well known that the trade-winds blow but faintly for fome distance within their limits, and therefore may be more easily stopped or repelled by a wind in the contrary direction: it is alfo well known, that the limits of the trade-winds vary not only

[blocks in formation]

1769.

1769.

at different seasons of the year, but fometimes at the same season, in different years.

There is therefore no reason to fuppofe that fouth westerly winds, within these limits, are caufed by the vicinity of large tracts of land, especially as they are always accompanied with a large fwell, in the fame direction in which they blow; and we find a much greater furf beating upon the fhores of the fouth weft fide of the inlands that are fituated juft within the limits of the trade-wind, than upon any other part of

them.

The tides about these islands, are perhaps as inconfiderable as in any part of the world. A fouth or S. by W. moon, makes high water in the bay of Matavai at Otaheite; but the water very seldom rises perpendicularly above ten or twelve inches.

The variation of the compafs I found to be 4° 46′ easterly, this being the refult of a great number of trials made with four of Dr. Knight's needles, adapted to azimuth compaffes. These compaffes I thought the best that could be procured, yet when applied to the meridian line, I found them to differ not only one from another, sometimes a degree and an half, but the fame needle, half a degree from itself in different trials made on the fame day; and I do not remember that I have ever found two needles

which

which exactly agreed at the same time and place, though I have often found the fame needle agree with itself, in feveral trials made one after the other. This imperfection of the needle, however, is of no confequence to navigation, as the variation can always be found to a degree of accuracy, more than fufficient for all nautical purposes.

1769.

[blocks in formation]

1769. July.

Thurfd. 13.

CHA P. XX.

A Defcription of feveral other Islands in the
Neighbourhood of Otaheite, with various
Incidents;

a dramatic Entertainment;

and many Particulars relative to the Cuf toms and Manners of the Inhabitants.

A

we

FTER parting with our friends, made an easy fail, with gentle breezes and clear weather, and were informed by Tupia, that four of the neighbouring islands, which he distinguished by the names of HUAHEINE, ULIETEA, OTAHA, and BOLABOLA, lay at the distance of between one and two days fail from Otaheite; and that hogs, fowls, and other refreshments, with which we had of late been but fparingly fupplied, were there to be procured in great plenty; but having difcovered from the hills of Otaheite, an island lying to the northward, which he called TETHUROA, I determined first to ftand that way, to take a nearer view of it. It lies N. W. diftant eight leagues 14 from the northern extremity of Otaheite, upon which we had observed the tranfit, and to which we had, for that reafon, given the name of

1769. July.

POINT VENUS. We found it to be a small low ifland, and were told by Tupia, that it had no fettled inhabitants, but was occafionally vifited Thursd. 13. by the inhabitants of Otaheite, who fometimes went thither for a few days to fish; we therefore determined to spend no more time in a farther examination of it, but to go in search of Huaheine and Ulietea, which he defcribed to be well peopled, and as large as Otaheite.

At fix o'clock in the morning of the 14th, the Friday 14. westermost part of EIMEO, or York Island, bore

1

2

S. E. S. and the body of Otaheite E. S. At noon, the body of York Iland bore E. by S. S.; and Port-Royal bay, at Otaheite, S. 70° 45′ E. distant 61 miles; and an island which we took to be Saunders's Inland, called by the natives TAPOAMANAO, bore S. S. W. We also faw land bearing N. W. W. which Tupia faid was Huaheine.

.。

On the 15th, it was hazy, with light breezes Saturd. 15. and calms fucceeding each other, fo that we could fee no land, and made but little way. Our Indian, Tupia, often prayed for a wind to his god Tane, and as often boasted of his fuccefs, which indeed he took a very effectual method to fecure, for he never began his addrefs to Tane, till he faw a breeze fo near that he knew it muft reach the fhip before his oraison was well

over.

On

« ZurückWeiter »