CHAPTER IX.
FROM TORRES STRAIT TO BATAVIA.
Friday, 24th.—In the P.M. had light Airs from the S.S.W., with which, after leaving Booby Island, as before mentioned, we steer'd W.N.W. until 5 o'clock, when it fell Calm, and the Tide of Ebb which sets to the N.E. soon after making, we Anchor'd in 8 fathoms soft sandy bottom, Booby Island bearing S. 50° E., distant 5 miles; Prince of Wales Isles extending from N.E. by N. to S. 55° E. There appear'd to be an open clear passage between these Islands extending from N. 64° E. to E. by N: At ½ past 5 in the morning in purchasing[1] the Anchor, the Cable parted about 8 or 10 fathoms from the Anchor; I immediately order'd another Anchor to be let go, which brought the ship up before she had drove a cable's length from the Buoy; after this we carried out a Kedge, and warped the ship nearer to it, and then endeavour'd to sweep the Anchor with a Hawser, but miss'd it, and broke away the Buoy rope.[2] We made several Attempts afterwards, but did not succeed. While the Boats were thus employed we hove up the Kedge Anchor, it being of no more use. At Noon Latitude observed 10° 30′ S. Winds at N.E., a fresh breeze; the Flood Tide here comes from the same Quarter.
Saturday, 25th.—Winds at N.E. and E.N.E., a gentle breeze. Being resolv'd not to leave the Anchor behind while there remain'd the least probability of getting of it, after dinner I sent the Boats again to sweep for it first with a small line, which succeeded, and
- ↑ Weighing the anchor.
- ↑ The kedge is a small anchor. Sweeping is dragging the middle of a rope, or hawser, held at the two ends from two boats some distance apart, along the bottom, with the object of catching the fluke of the anchor as it lies on the bottom, and so recovering it. It is a long and wearisome operation if the bottom is uneven. Cook, however, having already lost one of his large anchors, could not afford to leave this without an effort.
