Page:Captain Cook's Journal during His First Voyage Round the World.djvu/471

May 1771.] had their Boats out to tow. We Observed the Portland to carry out a long Warp. I, being desirous to see the Machine they made use of, we hoisted out a Boat, and Mr. Banks, Dr. Solander, and myself went on board her, where we was show'd it. It was made of Canvas, in every respect like an Umbrello; its Circumference, if extended to a Circle, was 24 feet, tho' this was a Small one of the Sort; yet Captain Elliot told me that it would hold as much as 150 Men could haul. I was so well satisfied of the Utility of this Machine that I would not have delayed a moment in having one Made had not our Forge been render'd Useless by the loss of some of its parts. Winds Variable; course N. 31° W.; distance 35 m.; lat. 6° 8′ N., long. 25° 8′ W.

Wednesday, 22nd.—Variable, unsettled weather, with rain. About 9 o'clock in the A.M. the Portland shorten'd Sail for the Sternmost Ships to come up. As we imagin'd, this gave us an Opportunity to get a Head of the Fleet, after which we made such sail as was necessary to keep in Company. Wind Variable; course N.N.W. ¾ W.; distance 58 m.; lat 6° 58′ N., long. 25° 38′ W.

Thursday, 23rd.—Little wind from the Eastward, with frequent showers of Rain, and hazey weather. The Fleet astern of us all this day. At Noon we Shortned Sail for them to come up, the headmost being about 2 Leagues off. Wind E. to N.E.; course N. 25° W.; distance 56 m.; lat. 7° 49′ N., long. 26° 2′ W.

Friday, 24th.—First part Moderate breezes, and hazey, with rain; the latter, fresh breezes and fair. At 3 p.m., finding the Fleet to come fast up with us, we made all the Sail we could. Soon after it became hazey, and we lost sight of them until near 6, when it clear'd up a little, and we saw 3 Sail abreast of us, bearing E. about 2 or 3 Miles' Distance; by this we saw that they not only kept a better wind, but out sail'd us upon a wind. It became again hazey, and we lost Sight of them, and notwithstanding we keept close upon a wind all night, with as much Sail out as we could bear, there was not one Sail in sight in the Morning. Wind N.E. and N.N.E.; course N. 54° W.; distance 92 m.; lat. 8° 42′ N., 27° 18′ W.

Saturday, 25th.—Moderate Trade Wind and Cloudy weather. Wind N.N.E.; course N. 50° 15′ W.; distance 92 m.; lat. 9° 41′ N., long. 28° 30′ W.

Sunday, 26th.—A Steady Trade and Cloudy Weather. About 1 o'Clock P.M. departed this Life Lieutenant Hicks, and in the Evening his body was committed to the Sea with the usual ceremonys. He died of a Consumption which he was not free from when we sail'd from England, so that it may be truly said that he hath been dying ever since, tho' he held out tolerable well until we