Page:Captain Cook's Journal during His First Voyage Round the World.djvu/282

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206
Cook's Journal.—First Voyage.
[March 1770.

there was but little reason to suppose it an Island. On the contrary, I hardly have a doubt but what it joins to, and makes a part of, the Mainland,[1] the Western extremity of which bore at Noon N. 59° W., and the Island seen in the Morning[2] S. 59° W., distant 5 Leagues. Lat. observed 46° 24′ S., Long. 192° 49′ W. It is nothing but a barren rock of about a Mile in Circuit, remarkably high, and lies full 5 Leagues from the Main. The shore of the Main lies nearest E. by S. and W. by N., and forms a large open bay, in which there is no appearance of a Harbour or other place of safety for shipping against S.W. and Southerly winds. The face of the Country bears a very rugged Aspect, being full of high craggy hills, on the Summits of which were several patches of Snow. However, the land is not wholy barren; we could see wood, not only in the Valleys, but on several of the Hills; but we saw no signs of inhabitants.

Monday, 12th.—Fresh Gales between the W. and N.W.; latter part squally, with rain. Stood to the S.W. by S. until 11 a.m., at which time the wind shifted to the S.W. by W. We wore, and stood to the N.N.W., being then in the Latitude of 47° 40′ S., and Long. 193° 50′ W., having a Hollow Sea from the S.W.

Tuesday, 13th.—Strong Gale between the S.W. by W. and S.S.W., with a large Hollow sea from the same Quarter. In the P.M. had frequent.Squalls, with Showers of rain; in the night had several very heavy squalls, attended with Showers of Hail, which obliged us to take in our Topsails. During the night steer'd N.N.W. until 6 a.m., when, seeing no land, we steer'd N. by E., and set the Main Topsail, single reeft. At 8 set the Foretopsail, single reeft, and loosed all the Reefs out of the Maintopsail, and Steer'd N.E. by E. ½ E. in order to make the land. At 10 saw it bearing E.N.E,, and appeared to be very high; but, being hazey over it, we could see nothing distinct neither now nor at Noon, when, by Observation, we were in the Lat. of 46° 0′ S. Course and distance Sailed since Yesterday N. 5° W., 96 Miles. Long. made from the S. Cape 1° 40′ W.

Wednesday, 14th.—In the P.M. had a fresh Gale from the Southward, attended with Squalls. At 2 it Clear'd up over the land, which appeared high and Mountainous. At ½ past 3 double reeft the Topsails, and hauld in for a Bay, wherein their appear'd to be good Anchorage, and into which I had thought of going with the Ship; but after standing in an hour, we found the distance to great to run before dark, and it blowd too hard to attempt it in the night, or even to keep to Windward; for these reasons we gave it up, and bore away along shore. This bay I have named Dusky

  1. Cook was deceived, as Stewart is an island.
  2. This was called by Cook Solander Island.