year 1624. It was the Vice Admiral Chapenham, of this Squadron, who first discovered that the land of Cape Horn was consisted of a Number of Islands, but the account they have given of those parts is very short and imperfect, and that of Schouton and Le Maire still worse, that it is no wonder that the Charts hitherto published should be found incorrect, not only in laying down the Land, but in the Latitude and Longitude of the places they contain, but I can now venture to Assert that the Longitude of few parts of the World are better Ascertained than that of Strait Le Maire and Cape Horn, being determined by several Observations of the Sun and moon made both by myself and Mr. Green, the Astronomer.
We found the Variation of the Compass on this Coast to be from 23° to 25° east, except near Barnevelts Islands and Cape Horn, where we found it less and unsettled; it is likely that it is here disturbed by the land, as the Dutch Squadron before mentioned found in this very place all their Compasses to differ from each other. The declination of the South point of the Dipping Needle when set up ashore in Success Bay was 68° 15′ below the horizon. Between Strait Le Maire and Cape Horn we found a Current setting generally pretty strong to the N.E. when we were in with the Shore, but when 15 or 20 Leagues off we were not sencible of any.
Remarkable Occurrences in January 1769.—South Seas.
Thursday, 26th.—Fresh Gales and thick Hazey weather, with small rain. At 2 p.m., the weather clearing up a little, saw Cape Horn bearing W.S.W., distance about 6 leagues, and from which I take my departure. Its Latitude and Longitude have before been taken notice of. Wind S.W. by W. to W.N.W.; course S. 15° W.; distance, 63 miles; lat. 56° 57′; long. 68° 13′ W.; at noon, Cape Horn N., 58 miles.
Friday, 27th.—First part, moderate breezes and thick Hazey weather; the Middle, fair and Cloudy; and the Latter, fresh Gales with some rain. At 8 a.m. took two Setts of Observations of the sun and moon; the first gave 68° 15′; the second, 68° 9′; the Mean of the 2 is 68° 12′ W. The Longitude of the Ship at Noon by these Observations is 68° 42′ less 14′, the Longitude made from Cape Horn, equal to 68° 28′, the longitude of Cape Horn according to the Observation. A Great many large Albetrosses about the Ship. Wind, S.W., W. and N.; course, S. and W.; distance, 32 miles; lat. 57° 2′ S., long. 68° 27′ W.
Saturday, 28th.—Fresh Gales the most part of this day; first and Middle parts cloudy; latter, clear with a Sharp cold air. At 2 p.m. saw the land, bearing North, distant about 8 Leagues; it made in 2 Hummocks, and appeared to be an Island, which I take to be
