Account was 41° 37′, and Long. from Cape West 5° 42′ E.; Course and distance sail'd since Yesterday N. 60° E., 92 miles. At this time we were not above 3 or 4 Leagues from the land, but being very foggy upon it we could see nothing distinct, and as we had not much wind, and a prodigious swell rowling in upon the Shore from the W.S.W., I did not think it safe to go nearer.
Thursday, 22nd.—In the P.M. had a Gentle breeze from the S.S.W., with which we steer'd along shore N.E. until 8, when being about 2 or 3 Leagues from shore we sounded, and had 34 fathoms, upon which we haul'd off N.W. by N. until 11, then brought too, having at this time 64 fathoms. At 4 a.m. made sail to the N.E., wind at S.S.W., a light breeze. At 8 the wind veer'd to the Westward, and soon after fell Calm; at this time we were about 3 or 4 Miles from the Shore, and in 54 fathoms, having a large swell from the W.S.W. rowling Obliquely upon the Shore, which put me under a good deal of Apprehension that we should be obliged to Anchor; but by the help of a light Air now and then from the S.W. quarter we were Enabled to keep the Ship from driving much nearer the shore. At Noon the Northermost land in sight bore N.E. by E. ¼ E, distant 8 or 10 Leagues; our Lat. by account was 40° 55′ S., Long from C. West 6° 35′ E.; Course and distance sail'd since Yesterday at Noon N. 36° E., 42 Miles; very foggy over the Land.
Friday, 23rd.—Light Airs from the Southward, at intervals Calm, the fore part hazey, the remainder clear, pleasant weather. At Noon our Latitude, by observation, 40° 36′ 30″ S., Long. from Cape West 6° 52′ E.; the Eastermost point of Land in sight[1] bore E. 10° N., distant 7 Leagues, and a bluff head or point we were abreast of yesterday at Noon, off which lay some rocks above Water, bore S. 18° W., distant 6 Leagues. This point I have named Rocks Point, Lat. 40° 55′ S. Having now nearly run down the whole of this N.W. Coast of Tovy Poenammu, it is time I should describe the face of the Country as it hath at different times appeared to us. I have mentioned on the 11th Instant, at which time we were off the Southern part of the Island, that the land seen then was ruged and mountainous; and there is great reason to believe that the same ridge of Mountains extends nearly the whole length of the Island from between the Westermost Land seen that day and the Eastermost seen on the 13th. There is a space of about 6 or 8 Leagues of the sea Coast unexplored, but the Mountains inland were Visible enough. The land near the Shore about Cape West is rather low, and riseth with a gradual assent up to the foot of the Mountains, and appear'd to be mostly covered with wood. From Point Five Fingers down to the Latitude of 44° 20′ there is a narrow ridge of Hills rising directly from the Sea, which are Cloathed with wood; close behind
- ↑ Cape Farewell, the north point of the Middle Island.
