Tasman.
1642.
ing up from the southward, Tasman steered for the land; and at five p.m., when it was twelve miles distant, sounded in 60 fathoms, coral bottom: at four miles off, the bottom was fine white sand. The latitude was then 42° 30′ south; the mean of all their longitudes 163° 50′ east (of Teneriffe apparently); and the compass had no variation. The coast here lies S. by E. and N. by W. It is of an even height; and was named Antony Van Diemen's Land, in honour of the governor-general, "our master, who sent us out to make discoveries. The islands round about, as many of them as were known to us, we called in honour of the Council of India."
The ships stood off again for the night, with a light breeze at S.S.E. On the 26th, the wind was from the eastward, and weather rainy, so that no land could be seen; but its distance was supposed to be twelve or thirteen leagues. At noon, the latitude from dead reckoning was 43° 36′, and longitude 163° 2′; the course having been S.S.W. 72 miles.[1] In the evening the wind shifted to the north-east, and their course was directed E.S.E.: the variation was then half a degree west.
Nov. 27, the land was again seen. At noon, a course of S.E. by E. 52 miles, gave the latitude by estimation 44° 4′ south, and longitude 164° 2′ east. The weather was thick and rainy, and the wind still from the north-eastward; and at the fourth hour of the night, the vessels lay to, not venturing to run in the dark. In the morning of the 28th, it was foggy, with rain. They made sail to the east; but on seeing the land from N.E. to N.N.E., hauled up for it. From what could be perceived of the coast, it extended S.E. by E. and N.W. by W., and seemed to decrease in height to the eastward. At noon, the latitude by estimation was 44° 1′, longitude 165° 2′; and the course steered, E. by S. 44 miles. The wind was- ↑ This and the following courses and distances run from one noon to another, do not always agree with the latitudes and longitudes; but the differences are not great: They probably arose from the distances being marked to the nearest Dutch mile on the log board; whereas the latitude and longitude are taken to minutes of a degree.
