Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 22.djvu/282

270 these few days past, and seen plenty of Finback and right whales. Experience a current setting to the Southward.

7. S. Latt. 47 43' ; W. Long. 54 40' ; Amp'd 20 10' E. Fresh gales and pleasant cool weather.

10. S. Latt. 46 28' ; W. Long. 58 22'. Winds from the southward. Sounded, no ground, with 120 fm. line. Saw seals and whales. Water much discolour'd.

13. S. Latt. 45 2'; W. Long. 61 14'; O. A whale come so near as to strike the ship with his flukes and gave considerable of a blow. Got bottom, with 53 fm. line, fine black sand, with a few white specks.

14. S. Latt. 46 0'; W. Long. 62 0'. Wind from NW. Soundings 50 fm., fine black sand.

15. S. Latt. 45 31'; W. Long. 63 54'; Azi. 22 0' E. Winds from the Southward. Soundings 45 fm., soft mud with sand.

17. S. Latt. 46 48' ; W. Long. 66 58'. Fresh gales, under double reef'd topsails, with a high sea. At noon 35 fm. mud, wind NE. Saw the land to the Westward of Cape Blanco on the Coast of Patigonia, bearing from SSE. to SW. Very squally, haul'd our wind to the Eastward, find the ship embayed with the wind, on shore. Stood on within 2 miles of the beach, and cou'd not weather the land on our larboard tack; we were under the necessity of wearing ship to the Westward, at this time had 12 fm. grey sand. Our situation was very critical, as we cannot weather the land on either tack. Bent cables, and overhaul'd a range of each of them, pass'd several times over very shoal water but did not sound, for fear of intimidating the crew. Ship'd many seas, one of which stove the Binnacle and broke the Compasses. Wore ship several times as the wind favour'd. This land appear'd levell, without much wood and very high grass growing. Saw several smokes, but none of the Natives The shore was lined with white sand banks. Fortunately at midnight the wind moderated, and haul'd more of shore. Haul'd off into 20 fm. and stood along shore ; given the Cape a good berth.

18. S. Latt. 47 9'; W. Long. 66 38'; Azi. 21 36' E. Saw breakers a head, haul'd to the East'd. Cape Blanco bore