Page:Captain Cook's Journal during His First Voyage Round the World.djvu/469

May 1771.] to India, and that there were 2 more on their Passage. Wind S.E. At noon at Anchor in St. Helena Road.

Thursday, 2nd.—Clear, Pleasant weather. In the P.M. moor'd with the Kedge Anchor, and in the A.M. received some few Officers' stores from the Portland. Wind Ditto. At noon at Anchor in St. Helena Road.

Friday, 3rd.—Clear, Pleasant weather. Employ'd repairing Sails, overhauling the Rigging, etc. Wind S.E. At noon at Anchor in St. Helena Road.

Saturday, 4th.—Little wind and pleasant weather. At 6 A.M. the Portland made the Signal to unmoor, and at Noon to Weigh, at which time the Ships began to get under Sail. Wind Ditto. At noon at Anchor in St. Helena Road.

Sunday, 5th.—Gentle breezes and Clear weather. At 1 P.M. weigh'd, and stood out of the Road in company with the Portland and 12 Sail of Indiamen. At 6 o'clock James Fort, St. Helena, bore E. ½ S., distant 3 Leagues. In the A.M. found the Variation to be 13° 10′ W. Wind E. by S.; course N. 50° 30′ W.; distance 71 m.; lat. 15° 5′ S. long. 6° 46′ W.

Monday, 6th.—Moderate breezes and Cloudy weather. Sailing in Company with the Fleet. Wind E.S.E.; course N. 47½° W.; distance 122 m.; lat. 13° 42′ S., long. 8° 27′ W.

Tuesday, 7th.—Ditto Weather. In the A.M. found the Variation to be 12° 5′ W. Exercised the people at Great Guns and Small Arms. Wind S.E.; course N. 46° W.; distance 137 m.; lat. 12° 5′ S., long. 10° 9′ W.

Wednesday, 8th.—A Steady breeze and Pleasant Weather. All the Fleet in Company. Wind S.E.; course N. 46° 45′ W.; distance 126 m.; lat. 10° 39′ S., long. 11° 42′ W.

Thursday, 9th.—Ditto Weather. In the Evening found the Variation to be 11° 42′ W. Wind S.E. by S.; course N.W.; distance 118 m.; lat. 9° 16′, long. 13° 17′ W.

Friday, 10th.—At 6 in the A.M. saw the Island of Ascention bearing N.N.W., distant 7 Leagues. Made the Signal to speak with the Portland, and soon after Captain Elliott himself came on board, to whom I deliver'd a Letter for the Admiralty, and a Box containing the Ship's Common Log Books, and some of the Officers' Journals, etc. I did this because it seem'd probable that the Portland would get home before us, as we sail much heavier than any of the Fleet. At Noon the Island of Ascention bore E. by S., distant 4 or 5 Leagues. By our Observations it lies in the Latitude of 7° 54′ S., and Longitude of 14° 18′ W. A N.W. by N. course by Compass, or N.W. a little Westerly by the Globe from St. Helena, will bring you directly to this Island.