Page:Voyage of Discovery to the North Pacific Ocean, and Round the World in the Years 1791–95, volume 1.djvu/114

58 Pajfage from the fouih-wejl coajl of New Holland — Pafs Van Diemaris Land — Arrival in Dvjky Bay, New Zealand — Violent Jlorms — Leave Dujky Bay — A violent Jlorm — Much water found in the Jliip — Part company with the Chathavi — Difcover the S^iares — Proceed towards, Otaheite — Arrive and join the Chatham there. 1791. Oftober. vyUR apprehenfions of approaching boifterous weather, proved in the fequel to have been ill founded ; for notwithftanding the s. w. fwell on the 17th greatly increafed, a gentle gale continued to attend us, chiefly from the weftern quarter, with pleafant weather. With this we (leered to the s. E. and without the occurrence of any intervening circumflance worth Wednef. 26. relating, made fuch progrefs, that on the 26th, we had fight of Van Dieman's Land, bearing by com pafs e.n.e. 10 or 12 leagues diftant. Soundings at this time could not be gained at the depth of 80 fathoms. During this paffage few oceanic birds had been fcen; a continual and heavy fwell had rolled between the fouth and well, and we experienced the fame fort of influence in our reckoning as on the coafl; of New Holland, in finding the fliip every day further advanced than we ex- pefted. A continuance of fine weather allowed fevcral lunar obfervations to be taken, which were direfted to the purpofe of afcertaining the longi- tude of our lafl; ftation. The breeze from the s. e. was very light, and it was not until late in the day that the land could b(^ plainly diftinguifhed. At feven o'clock in the evening we tacked and 11 d to the s.w,; the Mewftone bearing by compafs s. 88 e. ; the eafternmoft part of the main land in fight n. 82^ e. the fouth-wefl cape being the nearefl: land n. e. 3 or 4 leagues diftant; land appearing like an ifland, N.ii w. and the wefternmoft ■!■'::./