Sea Birds. Wind N. by W., S.W. by W.; course S. 14° E.; distance 81 m.; lat. 31° 3′ S., long. 148° 00′ W.
Wednesday, 23rd.—Little wind for the most part, and pretty clear weather. In the night had some Showers of rain. Saw a Grampus, and several Pintado Birds. Wind S.W. to W.S.W; course S.S.E.; distance 68 m.; lat. 31° 6′ S.; long. 147° 29′ W.
Thursday, 24th.—The first part light Airs and Calm; Middle, moderate breezes and Cloudy,; latter part very squally with rain. A.M. Variation per Azimuth 7° 18′ E. At Noon took in the Topsails and got down Topgallant yards. Saw a Water Spout in the N.W.; it was about the breadth of a Rainbow, of a dark Colour, the Upper end of the Cloud from whence it came was about 8° above the Horizon. Wind Variable; course S.S.E.; distance 41 m.; lat. 32° 44′ S., long. 147° 10′ W.
Friday, 25th.—The first and middle part Strong Gales and Squally with rain, remainder moderate and Cloudy. P.M. Unbent the Maintopsail being Split and bent another; in the night lay too under the Foresail, and in the morning made sail under the Courses and Topsails with one reef only. Had a large Sea from the Southward, saw several Albetrosses, Pintado Birds, and Sheer Waters; some of the Albetrosses were small, such as we usually saw off Cape Horn; all these kinds of birds are generally seen at a great distance from land. Wind, Southerly; course N.W.; distance 26 m.; lat. 32° 26′ S.; long. 147° 32′ W.
Saturday, 26th.—Moderate and cloudy weather, a Swell from the S.W. By observation of the Sun and Moon made this morning, the Longitude of the Ship at Noon is 147° 18′ 40″, which differs but 11′ from that given by the Log. Wind S.W.; course S. 5° E.; S. distance 13 m.; lat. 32° 39′ S., long. 147° 30′ W.
Sunday, 27th.—First part little wind and Cloudy; latter part, fresh Gales and Clear weather. Variation per Azimuth 6° 40′ E. Saw several Albetrosses, Pintado Birds and Sheer Waters. Wind W., N.N.W.; course S. 5° E.; distance 55 m.; lat. 33° 34′, long. 147° 25′.
Monday, 28th.—Fresh Gales and Cloudy, with rain on the Latter part. At 10 departed this Life Jno. Rearden,[1] Boatswain's Mate; his Death was occasioned by the Boatswain out of mere good Nature giving him part of a Bottle of Rum last night, which it is supposed he drank all at once. He was found to be very much in Liquor last night, but as this was no more than what was common with him when he could get any, no farther notice was taken of him than to put him to Bed, where this morning about 8 o'clock he was found Speechless and past recovery. Wind Northerly; course South; distance 110 m.; lat. 35° 34′ S., long. 147° 25′ W.
- ↑ John Reading.
