saw one of the same sort of Birds as we saw last Saturday. These birds are of a dark brown or Chocolate Colour, with some white feathers under their wings, and are as big as Ravens. Mr. Gore says that they are in great plenty at Port Egmont in Faulklands Islands, and for that reason calls them Port Egmont Hens. Saw a great many Porpoisses, large and Small; the small ones had white bellies and Noses. A.M. saw 2 Port Egmont Hens, a Seal, some sea Weed, and a Piece of wood with Barnacles upon it. Wind S.E. to E.N.E.; course S. 49½ W.; distance 63 m.; lat. 38° 23′ S., long. 176° 3′ W.
Friday, 6th.—Little wind, and fine pleasant weather. Saw some Seals, sea weed, and Port Egmont Hens. P.M. Variation per Azimuth 12° 50′ E. Per Amplitude 12° 40′. A.M. per Azimuth 14° 2′ E.; the difference is 1° 3′, and the Ship has only gone 9 Leagues in the Time. The Colour of the water appears to be paler than common, and hath been so for some days past; this makes us sound frequently, but can find no ground with 180 fathoms of Line. Wind E.N.E.; course.S.W.; distance 62 m.; lat. 39° 11′ S., long. 177° 2′ W.
Saturday, 7th.—Gentle breezes and settled weather. At 2 p.m. saw land[1] from the Masthead bearing W. by N., which we stood directly for, and could but just see it of the Deck at sunset. Variation per Azimuth and Amplitude 15° 44′ E.; by observation of the Sun and Moon made this afternoon the Longitude of the Ship is 180° 55′ W., by the mean of these and Subsequent observations the Error of the Ship's account in Longitude from George's Island is 3° 16′; that is, so much to the Westward of the Longitude resulting from the Log, which is what is inserted in the Columns. At Midnight brought too and sounded, but had no ground with 170 fathoms. At daylight made sail in for the Land, at Noon it bore from S.W. to N.W. by N., distant 8 Leagues. Latitude observed 38° 57′ S.; Wind N.E., S.E., Variable; course S. 70° W.; distance 41 m.; lat. 38° 57′ obs.S.; long. 177° 54° W.
Sunday, 8th.—Gentle breezes and clear weather. At 5 p.m., seeing the opening of a Bay that appear'd to run pretty far inland, hauld our wind and stood in for it; but as soon as night came on we keept plying on and off until day light, when we found ourselves to leeward of the Bay, the wind being at N. By Noon we fetch'd in with the S.W. point, but not being able to weather it we tacked and stood off. We saw in the Bay several Canoes, People upon the Shore, and some houses in the Country. The land on the Sea Coast is high, with Steep Cliffs; and back inland are very high Mountains. The face of the Country is of a hilly surface, and appears to be cloathed with wood and Verdure. Wind between the E.N.E. and North.
- ↑ The North island of New Zealand.
