Page:Voyage in search of La Perouse, volume 1 (Stockdale).djvu/474

446 grand, which will recal the signal service which that able mariner rendered to our expedition. His advice was to come to nearer the land, and it was to be regretted that it was not followed, for the larboard chain by which the Esperance rode gave way in the night by the force of the waves, and that frigate swinging by one anchor, would soon have been driven ashore, if another anchor had not fortunately taken hold. That ship had also lost two of her rudder-irons, and had no spare ones to replace them. They were broken by the violent shocks of the waves against the rudder, in the combined motion of pitching and rolling. The motion of pitching, all things else alike, is much quicker at anchor than at sea.

From the place where we lay at anchor, we reckoned twelve little islands, besides the rocks and breakers, which afforded us shelter. The sea, in that vast basin, sent in very heavy waves; but fortunately we were anchored in good holding ground.

The little island, to leeward of which we lay at anchor, bore from S. 25° W. to W. 3° N.

In the morning, a boat was sent thither from each ship, to take the soundings; for we intended to come nearer to it. They found every where an excellent bottom, and eight fathoms of water, at a small distance from the land. Some