1570. June. ward; and at this time we faw one to the fouthward, the tail of which we paffed over, when we had uneven foundings about two hours before we ftruck. A part of this shoal Tuesday 12. is always above water, and has the appearance of white fand: a part also of that upon which we had lain is dry at low water, and in that place confits of fand ftones; but all the reft of it is a coral rock. 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 fix o'clock in the morning, we weighed and flood to the N. W. Wednef. 13. ftill edging in for the land with a gentle breeze at S. S. E. At nine we paffed close without two small islands that lie in latitude 15° 41 ́ 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° 37' S.; the northermost part of the main in fight bore N. 30 W.; and Hope Islands extended from S. 30 E. to S. 40 E. In this fituation we had twelve fathom water, and feveral fand-banks without us. At this time the leak had not increased; but that we might be prepared for all events, we got the fail ready for another fothering. In the afternoon, having a gentle breeze at S. E. by E. I fent out the Mafter with two boats, as well to found ahead of the fhip, 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 faw an opening that had the appearance of an harbour, and flood off and on while the boats examined it; but they foon found that there was not depth of water in it fufficient for the fhip. When it was near funfet, there being many fhoals about us, we VOL. II. anchored 4 B 1770. June. 2 anchored in four fathom, at the distance of about two miles from the fhore, the land extending from N. E. to S. by E.E. Wednef. 13. The pinnace was still out with one of the mates; but at nine o'clock fhe returned, and reported, that about two leagues to leeward she had discovered just fuch a harbour as we wanted, in which there was a fufficient rife of water, and every other convenience that could be defired, either for laying the ship afhore, or heaving her down. In confequence of this information, I weighed at fix o'clock Thursday 14. in the morning, and having fent two boats ahead, to lie upon the fhoals that we faw in our way, we ran down to the place; but notwithstanding our precaution, we were once in three fathom water. As foon as thefe fhoals were paffed, I fent the boats to lie in the channel that led to the harbour, and by this time it began to blow. It was happy for us that a place of refuge was at hand; for we foon found that the fhip would not work, having twice miffed stays: our fituation, however, though it might have been much worfe, was not without danger; we were entangled among shoals, and I had great reason to fear being driven to leeward, before the boats could place themfelves fo as to prescribe our course. I therefore anchored in four fathom, about a mile from the fhore, and then made the fignal for the boats to come on board. When this was done I went myself and buoyed the channel, which I found very narrow; the harbour alfo I found fmaller than I expected, but moft excellently adapted: to our purpose; and it is remarkable, that in the whole courfe of our voyage we had feen no place which, in our prefent circumftances, could have afforded us the same relief. At noon, our latitude was 15° 26' S. During all the reft of this day, and the whole night, it blew too fresh for us to venture from our anchor and run into the harbour; and for › Our 1770. June. Thursday 14. our farther fecurity, we got down the top-gallant yards, unbent the main fail and fome of the small fails; got down the fore-top-gallant mast, and the gibb boom, and sprit-fail, with a view to lighten the fhip forwards as much as poffible, in order to come at her leak, which we supposed to be fomewhere in that part; for in all the joy of our unexpected deliverance, we had not forgot that at this time there was nothing but a lock of wool between us and deftruction. The gale continuing, we kept our station all the 15th. On the Friday 15. 16th, it was fomewhat more moderate; and about fix o'clock Saturday 16. in the morning, we hove the cable fhort, with a design to ́ get under fail, but were obliged to defift, and veer it out again. It is remarkable that the fea breeze, which blew fresh when we anchored, continued to do so almost every day while we stayed here; it was calm only while we were upon the rock, except once; and even the gale that afterwards wafted us to the fhore, would then certainly have beaten us to pieces. In the evening of the preceding day, we had ob served a fire near the beach over against us; and as it would be neceffary for us to ftay fometime in this place, we were not without hope of making an acquaintance with the people. We faw more fires upon the hills to-day, and with our glaffes discovered four Indians going along the shore, who stopped, and made two fires; but for what purpose it was impoffible we should guess. The fcurvy now began to make its appearance among us, with many formidable symptoms. Our poor Indian, Tupia, who had fome time before complained that his gums were fore and fwelled, and who had taken plentifully of our lemon juice by the Surgeon's direction, had now livid spots upon his legs, and other indubitable teftimonies that the difeafe had made a rapid progress, notwithstanding all our remedies, among which the bark had been liberally admi 1770. June. Saturday 16. Sunday 17. niftered. Mr. Green, our aftronomer, was also declining; and thefe, among other circumstances, imbittered the delay which prevented our going afhore. In the morning of the 17th, though the wind was still fresh, we ventured to weigh, and push in for the harbour; but in doing this we twice run the fhip aground: the first time she went off without any trouble, but the second time she stuck faft. We now got down the fore yard, fore topmafts, and booms, and taking them overboard, made a raft of them alongside of the ship. The tide was happily rifing, and about one o'clock in the afternoon, she floated. We foon warped her into the harbour, and having moored her alongfide of a steep beach to the south, we got the anchors, cables, and all the hawfers on fhore before night. CHAP |