Page:Captain Cook's Journal during His First Voyage Round the World.djvu/284

208 go in with the Ship, because I saw clearly that no winds could blow there but what was right in or right out, that is, Westerly or Easterly; and it certainly would have been highly imprudent in me to have put into a place where we could not have got out but with a wind that we have lately found to blow but one day in a Month. I mention this because there was some on board that wanted me to harbour at any rate, without in the least Considering either the present or future Consequences.

Thursday, 15th.—Clear weather, Winds at S.W. and S.W. by S., a Gentle breeze, except in the night, when, we had variable light Airs and Calm. In the evening, being about 2 Leagues from the land, we sounded, but had no ground with 103 fathoms. Variation per Azimuth 14° E., per Amplitude 15° 2′ E. With what wind we had we made the best of our way along shore to the N.E., keeping at the distance of 2 or 3 Leagues off from the Land. At Noon we were in the Lat. of 44° 47′, having run only 12 Leagues upon a N.E. ¼ N. Course since Yesterday at Noon; Long. made from C. West 1° 3′ E.

Friday, 16th.—Winds at S.W.; a fresh breeze and Clear. Steer'd along shore N.E. ¼ E. until 6 p.m., when we Shortned Sail, and brought too for the Night. Variation per Azimuth 13° 48′ E. At 4 A.M. made sail, and Stood in for the land. At daylight saw the appearance of an inlet into the land; but upon a nearer approach found that it was only a deep Valley, bounded on each side by high lands, upon which we bore away N.E. ¼ E. along shore, keeping about 4 or 5 miles off. At Noon the Northermost point of land in sight bore N. 60° E., distant 10 Miles; Lat. per Observation 44° 5′; Long. made from C. West 2° 8′ E.

Saturday, 17th.—Continued our Course along shore, having in the P.M. the advantage of a fresh Gale at S.W. At 2, past by the point afore-mentioned, which is of a Moderate height, with deep Red Clifts, down which falls 4 Small streams of Water, on which account it is named Cascades Point. Lat. 44° 0′ S.; Long. 2° 20′ E. from Cape West. From this point the land at first Trends N. 76° E., but afterwards more to the Northward E.N.E., 8 Leagues. From this point and near the Shore lies a small low Island, which bore from us S. by E., distant 1½ Leagues. At 7 o'Clock we Shortned sail, and brought too under the Topsails, with her head off Shore, having 33 fathoms, and fine sandy bottom. At 10, had 50 fathoms, and at 12, wore in 65 fathoms, having drove about 5 Miles N.N.W. since we brought too. Two hours after this had no ground with 140 fathoms; which shews that the soundings extend but a little way from the land. From 2 to 8 a.m. had it Calm and hazey, with drizzling rain, at which time a breeze sprung up at S.W., with which we steer'd along shore N.E. by E. ¼ E, keeping about 3 Leagues from the land. At Noon had no Observation,