Page:Captain Cook's Journal during His First Voyage Round the World.djvu/433

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
Oct. 1770.]
Arrival at Batavia.
353

here Thursday, 11th.—At 4 O'Clock in the P.M. Anchor'd in Batavia road, where we found the Harcourt Indiaman from England, 2 English Country Ships,[1] 13 Sail of large Dutch Ships, and a number of small Vessels. As soon as we Anchor'd[2] I sent Lieutenant Hicks a shore to acquaint the Governor of our Arrival, and to make an excuse for not Saluting; as we could only do it with 3 Guns I thought it was better let alone.

The Carpenter now deliver'd me in the defects of the ship, of which the following is a copy:—

"The Defects of His Majesty's Bark Endeavour, Lieutenant James Cook, Commander.

"The Ship very leaky (as she makes from 12 to 6 Inches water per hour), occasioned by her Main Kiel being wounded in many places and the Scarfe of her Stem being very open. The false Kiel gone beyond the Midships (from Forward and perhaps further), as I had no opportunity of seeing for the water when hauld ashore for repair. Wounded on her Starboard side under the Main Chains, where I immagine is the greatest leakes (but could not come at it for the water). One pump on the Starboard side useless, the others decayed within 1½ Inch of the bore, otherwise Masts, Yards, Boats, and Hull in pretty good condition.


"J. Satterly."
"Dated in Batavia Road,
"this 10th of October, 1770.

Previous to the above, I had consulted with the Carpenter and all the other Officers concerning the Leake, and they were all unanimously of Opinion that it was not safe to proceed to Europe without first seeing her bottom; accordingly I resolved to apply for leave to heave her down at this place, and, as I understood that this was to be done in writing, I drew up the following request to be presented to the Governor, etc., etc.:—

"Lieutenant James Cook, commander of His Brittannick Majesty's Bark Endeavour, Requests of the Right Hon'ble Petrus Albertus Van der Parra, Governor-General, etc., etc., etc., the Indulgence of the following Articles, viz.:
"Firstly, That he may be allow'd a proper and convenient place to heave down and repair His Brittannick Majesty's Ship under his command.
"Secondly, That he may have leave to purchase such few Trifling Naval stores as he may be in want of.
"Thirdly, That he may be permitted daily to purchase such provisions as he may want; also such an Additional quantity as may enable him to proceed on his passage home to England.



"James Cook,"
"Dated on board His Brittannick Majesty's
Bark Endeavour, in Batavia Road, the 11th
October, 1770.

  1. A country ship is a vessel under the English flag, but belonging to a port in English possessions abroad.
  2. The Endeavour took nine days, and had to anchor fifteen times, in getting from Java Head, at the entrance of Sunda Strait, to Batavia, a distance of 120 miles.