Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 22.djvu/283



LOG OF THE COLUMBIA 271

S. 65 W., 4 leagues. Sounded and had but 5 fm. water; deepened gradually, in 25 fm. pebble or gravell stones. This shoal was not laid down in the Drafts. I judge it to be very small.

AT THE FALKLAND ISLANDS.

19. S. Latt. 48 37'; W. Long. 66 8'. Winds from the SW. 56 fm. water, weather pleasant but cold. Many Albatross and large scholes of Whales.

22. S. Latt. 51 53'; W. Long. 64 O <f. Wind at NW. and squally. Made the Islands of Sebald-De Wert, 4 (or Jasons Islands) which lie off the NW. part of the Group call'd Falk- land. Vast many birds and seals round. Made sail to the South'd for States Bay, in New Island (one of the Falkland). At 6 A. M. saw Cape Percivall, SEE. 10 leagues. Fresh gales. At Meridian anchord, in New Island harbour. Mud and sand in 5 fm. Remain'd in this Harbour 11 days, during which time we give the ship a complete overhaul. We had the winds generally from the westward, and sometimes blew so strong that we drag'd with 5 anchors a head. A tent was erected on shore, for the Tradesmen. Found the watering place very handy, and the water excellent. The ship's crew on our arrival was all in health. Still no doubt, by being frequently indulg'd on shore, was of great service to them. The weather generally was very cool. During our stay at these Island [s] we shot upwards of 1000 Ducks and Geese, and 6 Hogs (which was evidently of the Spanish breed). The fowl was quite tame when we first arriv'd, but they soon was taught the doctrine of self-preservation. The Swine was very wild.

The face of the Country does not present a very delightful prospect, extensive heaths, mountains, and ponds of water are to be seen all over the Island. There is not a tree upon it, but the grass is 3 feet high in most places. The turf generally of the height of 6 foot, between which the Hogs and Penguins have their habitations. 5 The soil appear'd to me to be proper for the reception of such seeds as contribute towards the sub-

4Sebald d Weert, who circumnavigated the globe in 1598-99 in the ship hft Geloof, the sole surviving vessel of the fleet of five commanded by Jacques Mahu and Simon de Cordes. W. C. P.

5 Hoskins describes the mode of hunting these hogs. "The party being ashore.