Page:Captain Cook's Journal during His First Voyage Round the World.djvu/474

392 Variation was 14° 15′ W., and in the Morning 14° 24′. Wind South; course N. 66° E.; distance 82 m.; lat. 39° 52′ N., long. 36° 50′ W.

Wednesday, 19th.—Fresh Gales and Cloudy. At 2 p.m. found by observation the same Error in our Longitude as Yesterday, which I have now corrected. The Longitude of this day is that resulting from Observation. At 10 A.M. saw a Sail a head, which we soon came up with, and sent a Boat on board. She was a Schooner from Rhoad Island out upon the Whale fishery. From her we learnt that all was peace in Europe, and that the America Disputes were made up; to confirm this the Master said that the Coat on his back was made in old England. Soon after leaving this Vessel we spoke another from Boston, and saw a third, all out on the same account. Wind S. to S.W.; course N. 73° E.; distance 127 m.; lat. 40° 9′ N., long. 36° 44′ W.

Thursday, 20th.—Fresh Gales and Cloudy, with some Showers of rain. At day light in the Morning saw a Sail ahead standing to the E. A Swell from the N.N.W. Wind S.W., N.W., N.; course N. 80½° E.; distance 121 m.; lat. 40° 20′ N., long. 33° 10′ W.

Friday, 21st.—Fresh Gales and Cloudy. In the P.M. saw a Sail astern standing to the S.E., and at 11 o'Clock A.M. saw from the Mast head 13 Sail of Stout Ships, which we took to be the East India Fleet. Wind Northerly; course E. by N.; distance 128 m.; lat. 40° 33′ N., long. 30° 20′ W.

Saturday, 22nd.—Fresh Gales, with Squalls, attended with rain. In the Evening had 14 Sail in sight, 13 upon our lee Quarter, and a Snow upon our lee Bow. In the Night split both Topgallant Sails so much that they were obliged to be unbent to repair. In the Morning the Carpenter reported the Maintopmast to be Sprung in the Cap, which we supposed hapned in the P.M., when both the Weather Backstays broke. Our Rigging and Sails are now so bad that something or another is giving way every day. At Noon had 13 Sail in sight, which we are well assured are the India Fleet, and are all now upon our Weather Quarter. Wind N. to N.E.; course N. 81° E.; distance 114 m.; lat. 41° 11′, long. 27° 52′ W.

Sunday, 23rd.—Fresh Gales and Squally, attended with Showers of rain. In the Evening all the Fleet were to Windward of us, and in the Morning not one was to be seen. Wind N.E. by N. to E.N.E.; course S. 69½° E.; distance 80 m.; lat. 40° 43′ N., long. 26° 13′ W.

Monday, 24th.—First part, moderate breezes; remainder, Squally. At Noon Tack'd. Wind N.E. to E.S.E.; course S. 82° E.; distance 64 m.; lat. 40° 34′ N., long. 24° 49′ W.

Tuesday, 25th.—First part and remainder a fresh breeze and Cloudy. Wind N.E. to N.N.E.; course S. 85° E.; distance 58 m.; lat. 40° 39′ N., long. 23° 33′ W.