1801.
September.
Thursday 3.The wind was at south when we tacked to the westward; but it shortly veered to south-by-east, and as far as south-east-by-south which enabled me to look up for the small Isle Sable, or St. Paul, said to lie in 0° 25′ south, and about 18½° west. I was desirous of ascertaining the true position of this, and of some other small islands, laid down in the neighbourhood of the equator. They are placed so much in the tracks, both of outward and homeward bound ships, that it was not improbable some one of the vessels missed at different times, might have suffered shipwreck upon them; and the hope that we might be the happy means of restoring to their country and friends some unfortunate fellow creatures, perhaps countrymen, was an additional incitement to look after them.
Monday 7.On the 7th, our latitude was 0° 43′ north, and we expected to cross the equator some time in the following night. It was a part of my plan for preserving the health of the people, to promote active amusements amongst them, so long as it did not interfere with the duties of the ship; and therefore the ancient ceremonies used on this occasion, were allowed to be performed this evening; and the ship being previously put under snug sail, the seamen were furnished with the means, and the permission, to conclude the day with merriment. At noon next day,Tuesday 8. the latitude was 0° 17′ south, and longitude 17° 7′ west; so that the line had been crossed in nearly 17°, about seven in the morning.
From the longitude of 11°, we had been constantly attended by that species of the pelican called man-of-war bird by our seamen, and frégate by the French; but not one of them was to be seen at this time, although we were drawing near to the supposed situation of St. Paul. At four in the afternoon, our latitude was judged to be 0° 29′ south; and the course then steered was west, by compass, for a current of ten miles to the north had fully counteracted the western variation on the two preceding days. On the 9th,Wednes. 9. the latitude was 0° 43′ south, and longitude 18° 35′. We ran northward four hours, finding the current had not prevailed as before; and then