under our courses and main topsails close reefed. Soon after noon saw the appearance of Land to the Eastward, and being in the Latitude of Peypes Island, as it is lay'd down in some Charts, imagined it might be it.[1] Bore down to be Certain, and at ½-past 2 p.m. discovered our Mistake, and hauld the Wind again. At 6 sounded, and had 72 fathoms black sand and mud. Variation 19° 45′ E. Wind W.N.W. to S.W. by S.; course S. 30° E.; distance 76 m.; lat. 48° 28′ S., long. 60° 51′ W.
Thursday, 5th.—Fore part, fresh Gales and Clear; Middle, light Airs; remainder, fresh Gales and a little hazey. P.M. found the Variation to be 20° 4′ E.; Soundings 75 and 73 fathoms. A great Number of Water Fowl about the Ship. Wind S.W., N.E., N.N.E.; course S. 28° W.; distance 92 m.; lat. 49° 49′ S., long. 61° 67′ W.
Friday, 6th.—Fresh gales, the Air very Sharp and Cold; frequent showers of rain and Squalls. Soundings 75 fathoms. Saw some Penguins. Gave to each of the People a Fearnought Jacket and a pair of Trowsers, after which I never heard one Man Complain of Cold, not but that the weather was cold enough. Wind West, Southerly; course S. 8° 45′ W.; distance 92 m.; lat. 51° 20′ S., long. 62° 19′ W.
Saturday, 7th.—First part, Strong Gales, with excessive hard Squals, with rain. At 9 p.m. wore and brought too, her head to the Westward under the Mainsail, and Reef'd the Foresail for the first time. The Storm continued with a little intermission until a little towards Noon, when it abated, so we could set the Topsails close Reefed. Saw many Penguins and some Seals. Wind southerly: course S. 62° E.; distance 14 m.; lat. 51° 26′ S., long. 61° 59° W.
Sunday, 8th.—Wind and weather both Variable, but for the most part little wind. P.M. loosed the Reef out of the Foresail and 2 Reefs out of Each Topsail. A.M. got Top gallant Yards aCross and loosed all the Reefs out. Soundings from 80 to 75 fathoms. Wind S., S.W., W., N.W.; course N. 72° W.; distance 33 miles; lat. 51° 16′ S.; long. 62° 50′ W.
Monday, 9th.—First and Latter parts, a moderate breeze and Clear weather; Middle, squally with rain. P.M. found the Variation by several azimuths to be 22° 24′ E. Saw a great Number of Penguins and Seals.
Tuesday, 10th.—Moderate breezes and fine clear weather. At 2 p.m. Sounded 86 fathoms; black sand and Small stones. Variation 21° 57′ E. At ½ past 10 Tackt having Stood south 12 Leagues. After standing to the Westward 14 Miles, sounded, and had 80
- ↑ Pepys' Island, placed on charts, from a report by Captain Cowley in 1683, about 230 miles north of Falkland Islands, and long imagined to exist. It was eventually recognised, after the discovery of Cowley's MS. Journal, that Cowley had sighted the Falklands.
