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William Bligh's Narrative of the Mutiny on the Bounty (London: George Nicol, 1790) |
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A Narrative, &c. I SAILED FROM OTAHEITE on
the 4th of April 1789, having on board 1015 fine bread-fruit plants,
besides many other valuable fruits of that country, which, with
unremitting attention, we had been collecting for three and twenty
weeks, and which were now in the highest state of perfection. On the 11th of April, I
discovered an island in latitude 18° 52' S. and longitude 200°
19' E. by the natives called Whytootackee. On the 24th we anchored at
Annamooka, one of the Friendly Islands; from which, after completing
our wood and water, I sailed on the 27th, having every reason to
expect, from the fine condition of the plants, that they would continue
healthy. On the evening of the 28th,
owing to light winds, we were not clear of the islands, and at night I
directed my course towards Tofoa. The master had the first watch; the
gunner the middle watch; and Mr. Christian, one of the mates, the
morning watch. This was the turn of duty for the night. Just before sun-rising, Mr.
Christian, with the master at arms, gunner's mate, and Thomas Burket,
seaman, came into my cabin while I was asleep, and seizing me, tied my
hands with a cord behind my back, and threatened me with instant death,
if I spoke or made the least noise: I, however, called so loud as to
alarm everyone; but they had already secured the officers who were not
of their party, by placing centinels at their doors. There were three
men at my cabin door, besides the four within; Christian had only a
cutlass in his hand, the others had muskets and bayonets. I was hauled
out of bed, and forced on deck in my shirt, suffering great pain from
the tightness with which they had tied my hands. I demanded the reason
of such violence, but received no other answer than threats of instant
death, if I did not hold my tongue. Mr. Elphinston, the master's mate,
was kept in his birth; Mr. Nelson, botanist, Mr. Peckover, gunner, Mr.
Ledward, surgeon, and the master, were confined to their cabins; and
also the clerk, Mr. Samuel, but he soon obtained leave to come on deck.
The fore hatchway was guarded by centinels; the boatswain and carpenter
were, however, allowed to come on deck, where they saw me standing
abaft the mizen-mast, with my hands tied behind my back, under a guard,
with Christian at their head. The boatswain was now
ordered to hoist the launch out, with a threat, if he did not do it
instantly, to take care of himself. The boat being out, Mr.
Hayward and Mr. Hallet, midshipmen, and Mr. Samuel, were ordered into
it; upon which I demanded the cause of such an order, and endeavoured
to persuade some one to a sense of duty; but it was to no effect: "Hold
your tongue, Sir, or you are dead this instant," was constantly
repeated to me. The master, by this time,
had sent to be allowed to come on deck, which was permitted; but he was
soon ordered back again to his cabin. I continued my endeavours to
turn the tide of affairs, when Christian changed the cutlass he had in
his hand for a bayonet, that was brought to him, and, holding me with a
strong gripe by the cord that tied my hands, he with many oaths
threatened to kill me immediately if I would not be quiet: the villains
round me had their pieces cocked and bayonets fixed. Particular people
were now called on to go into the boat, and were hurried over the side:
whence I concluded that with these people I was to be set adrift. I therefore made another
effort to bring about a change, but with no other effect than to be
threatened with having my brains blown out. The boatswain and seamen,
who were to go in the boat, were allowed to collect twine, canvas,
lines, sails, cordage, an eight and twenty gallon cask of water, and
the carpenter to take his tool chest. Mr. Samuel got 150 lbs of bread,
with a small quantity of rum and wine. He also got a quadrant and
compass into the boat; but was forbidden, on pain of death, to touch
either map, ephemeris, book of astronomical observations, sextant,
time-keeper, or any of my surveys or drawings. The mutineers now hurried
those they meant to get rid of into the boat. When most of them were
in, Christian directed a dram to be served to each of his. own crew. I
now unhappily saw that nothing could be done to effect the recovery of
the ship: there was no one to assist me, and every endeavour on my part
was answered with threats of death. The officers were called,
and forced over the side into the boat, while I was kept apart from
everyone, abaft the mizen-mast; Christian, armed with a bayonet,
holding me by the bandage that secured my hands. The guard round me had
their pieces cocked, but, on my daring the ungrateful wretches to fire,
they uncocked them. Isaac Martin, one of the
guard over me, I saw, had an inclination to assist me, and, as he fed
me with shaddock, (my lips being quite parched with my endeavours to
bring about a change) we explained our wishes to each other by our
looks; but this being observed, Martin was instantly removed from me;
his inclination then was to leave the ship, for which purpose he got
into the boat; but with many threats they obliged him to return. The armourer, Joseph
Coleman, and the two carpenters, McIntosh and Norman, were also kept
contrary to their inclination; and they begged of me, after I was
astern in the boat, to remember that they declared they had no hand in
the transaction. Michael Byrne, I am told, likewise wanted to leave the
ship. It is of no moment for me to
recount my endeavours to bring back the offenders to a sense of their
duty: all I could do was by speaking to them in general; but my
endeavours were of no avail, for I was kept securely bound, and no one
but the guard suffered to come near me. To Mr. Samuel I am indebted
for securing my journals and commission, with some material ship
papers. Without these I had nothing to certify what I had done, and my
honour and character might have been suspected, without my possessing a
proper document to have defended them. All this he did with great
resolution, though guarded and strictly watched. He attempted to save
the time-keeper, and a box with all my surveys, drawings, and remarks
for fifteen years past, which were numerous; when he was hurried away,
with "Damn your eyes, you are well off to get what you have." It appeared to me that
Christian was some time in doubt whether he should keep the carpenter,
or his mates; at length he determined on the latter, and the carpenter
was ordered into the boat. He was permitted, but not without some
opposition, to take his tool chest. Much altercation took place among
the mutinous crew during the whole business: some swore "I'll be damned
if he does not find his way home, if he gets any thing with him,"
(meaning me); others, when the carpenter's chest was carrying away,
"Damn my eyes, he will have a vessel built in a month." While others
laughed at the helpless situation of the boat, being very deep, and so
little room for those who were in her. As for Christian, he seemed
meditating instant destruction on himself and every one. I asked for arms, but they
laughed at me, and said I was well acquainted with the people where I
was going, and therefore did not want them; four cutlasses, however,
were thrown into the boat, after we were veered astern. When the officers and men,
with whom I was suffered to have no communication, were put into the
boat, they only waited for me, and the master at arms informed
Christian of it; who then said-"Come, captain Bligh, your officers and
men are now in the boat, and you must go with them; if you attempt to
make the least resistance you will instantly be put to death"; and,
without any farther ceremony, holding me by the cord that tied my
hands, with a tribe of armed ruffians about me, I was forced over the
side, where they untied my hands. Being in the boat we were veered
astern by a rope. A few pieces of pork were then thrown to us, and some
cloaths, also the cutlasses I have already mentioned; and it was now
that the armourer and carpenters called out to me to remember that they
had no hand in the transaction. After having undergone a great deal of
ridicule, and been kept some time to make sport for these unfeeling
wretches, we were at length cast adrift in the open ocean. I had with me the following
persons: Names Stations JOHN FRYER.................................................................................... Master THOMAS LEDWARD....................................................................... Acting Surgeon DAVID NELSON.............................................................................. Botantist WILLIAM PECKOVER.................................................................... Gunner WILLIAM COLE............................................................................... Boatswain WILLIAM PURCELL........................................................................ Carpenter WILLIAM ELPHINSTON................................................................. Master’s Mate THOMAS HAYWARD...................................................................... Midshipmen JOHN HALLET................................................................................. Midshipmen JOHN NORTON............................................................................... Quarter Masters PETER LINKLETTER....................................................................... Quarter Masters LAWRENCE LEBOGUE................................................................... Sailmaker JOHN SMITH.................................................................................... Cooks THOMAS HALL................................................................................ Cooks GEORGE SIMPSON......................................................................... Quarter Master’s Mate ROBET TINKLER............................................................................. A boy ROBERT LAMB................................................................................ Butcher MR. SAMUEL................................................................................... Clerk There remained on board the Bounty, as pirates, FLETCHER CHRISTIAN.................................................................. Master’s Mate PETER HAYWOOD.......................................................................... Midshipmen EDWARD YOUNG........................................................................... Midshipman GEORGE STEWART......................................................................... Midshipman CHARLES CHURCHILL................................................................... Master at Arms JOHN MILLS.................................................................................... Gunner’s Mate JAMES MORRISON......................................................................... Boatswain’s Mate THOMAS BURKITT......................................................................... Able Seaman MATTHEW QUINTAL..................................................................... Ditto JOHN SUMNER................................................................................ Ditto JOHN MILLWARD........................................................................... Ditto WILLIAM MCKOY.......................................................................... Ditto HENRY HILLBRANDT..................................................................... Ditto MICHAEL BYRNE............................................................................ Ditto WILLIAM MUSPRAT....................................................................... Ditto ALEXANDER SMITH....................................................................... Ditto JOHN WILLIAMS............................................................................. Ditto THOMAS ELLISON......................................................................... Ditto ISAAC MARTIN............................................................................... Ditto RICHARD SKINNER........................................................................ Ditto MATTHEW THOMPSON................................................................. Ditto WILLIAM BROWN...................................... ................................... Gardinerr JOSEPH COLEMAN......................................................................... Armourer CHARLES NORMAN....................................................................... Carpenter’s Mate THOMAS MCINTOSH..................................................................... Carpenter’s Crew In all 25 hands, and the most able men of the Ship’s company. Having little or no wind, we
rowed pretty fast towards Tofoa, which bore NE about 10 leagues from
us. While the ship was in sight she steered to the WNW, but I
considered this only as a feint; for when we were sent away-"Huzza for
Otaheite," was frequently heard among the mutineers. Christian, the captain of
the gang, is of a respectable family in the north of England. This was
the third voyage he had made with me; and, as I found it necessary to
keep my ship's company at three watches, I gave him an order to take
charge of the third, his abilities being thoroughly equal to the task;
and by this means my master and gunner were not at watch and watch. Haywood is also of a
respectable family in the north of England, and a young man of
abilities, as well as Christian. These two were objects of my
particular regard and attention, and I took great pains to instruct
them, for they really promised, as professional men, to be a credit to
their country. Young was well recommended,
and appeared to me an able stout seaman; therefore I was glad to take
him: he, however, fell short of what his appearance promised. Stewart was a young man of
creditable parents, in the Orkneys; at which place, on the return of
the Resolution from the South Seas, in 1780, we received so many
civilities, that, on that account only, I should gladly have taken him
with me: but, independent of this recommendation, he was a seaman, and
had always borne a good character. Notwithstanding the
roughness with which I was treated, the remembrance of past kindnesses
produced some signs of remorse in Christian. When they were forcing me
out of the ship, I asked him, if this treatment was a proper return for
the many instances he had received of my friendship? he appeared
disturbed at my question, and answered, with much emotion,
"That,-captain Bligh,-that is the thing;-I am in hell-I am in hell." As soon as I had time to reflect, I felt an inward satisfaction, which prevented any depression of my spirits: conscious of my integrity, and anxious solicitude for the good of the service in which I was engaged, I found my mind wonderfully supported, and I began to conceive hopes, notwithstanding so heavy a calamity, that I should one day be able to account to my King and country for the misfortune. A few hours before, my situation had been peculiarly flattering. I had a ship in the most perfect order, and well stored with every necessary both for service and health: by early attention to those particulars I had, as much as lay in my power, provided against any accident, in case I could not get through Endeavour Straits, as well as against what might befal me in them; add to this, the plants had been successfully preserved in the most flourishing state: so that, upon the whole, the voyage was two thirds completed, and the remaining part in a very promising way; every person on board being in perfect health, to establish which was ever amongst the principal objects of my attention. It will very naturally be
asked, what could be the reason for such a revolt? in answer to which,
I can only conjecture that the mutineers had assured themselves of a
more happy life among the Otaheiteans, than they could possibly have in
England; which, joined to some female connections, have most probably
been the principal cause of the whole transaction. The women at Otaheite are
handsome, mild and chearful in their manners and conversation,
possessed of great sensibility, and have sufficient delicacy to make
them admired and beloved. The chiefs were so much attached to our
people, that they rather encouraged their stay among them than
otherwise, and even made them promises of large possessions. Under
these, and many other attendant circumstances, equally desirable, it is
now perhaps not so much to be wondered at, though scarcely possible to
have been foreseen, that a set of sailors, most of them void of
connections, should be led away; especially when, in addition to such
powerful inducements, they imagined it in their power to fix themselves
in the midst of plenty, on the finest island in the world, where they
need not labour, and where the allurements of dissipation are beyond
any thing that can be conceived. The utmost, however, that any
commander could have supposed to have happened is, that some of the
people would have been tempted to desert. But if it should be asserted,
that a commander is to guard against an act of mutiny and piracy in his
own ship, more than by the common rules of service, it is as much as to
say that he must sleep locked up, and when awake, be girded with
pistols. Desertions have happened,
more or less, from many of the ships that have been at the Society
Islands; but it ever has been in the commanders power to make the
chiefs return their people: the knowledge, therefore, that it was
unsafe to desert, perhaps, first led mine to consider with what ease so
small a ship might be surprized, and that so favourable an opportunity
would never offer to them again. The secrecy of this mutiny
is beyond all conception. Thirteen of the party, who were with me, had
always lived forward among the people; yet neither they, nor the
mess-mates of Christian, Stewart, Haywood, and Young, had ever observed
any circumstance to give them suspicion of what was going on. With such
close-planned acts of villainy, and my mind free from any suspicion, it
is not wonderful that I have been got the better of. Perhaps, if I had
had marines, a centinel at my cabin-door might have prevented it; for I
slept with the door always open, that the officer of the watch might
have access to me on all occasions. The possibility of such a
conspiracy was ever the farthest from my thoughts. Had their mutiny
been occasioned by any grievances, either real or imaginary, I must
have discovered symptoms of their discontent, which would have put me
on my guard: but the case was far otherwise. Christian, in particular,
I was on the most friendly terms with; that very day he was engaged to
have dined with me; and the preceding night he excused himself from
supping with me, on pretence of being unwell; for which I felt
concerned, having no suspicions of his integrity and honour. It now remained with me to
consider what was best to be done. My first determination was to seek a
supply of bread-fruit and water at Tofoa, and afterwards to sail for
Tongataboo, and there risk a solicitation to Poulaho, the king, to
equip my boat, and grant a supply of water and provisions, so as to
enable us to reach the East Indies. The quantity of provisions I
found in the boat was 150 lb. Of bread, 16 pieces of pork, each piece
weighing 2 lb. 6 quarts of rum, 6 bottles of wine, with 28 gallons of
water, and four empty barrecoes. Wednesday, April 29th.':-
Happily the afternoon kept calm, until about 4 o'clock, when we were so
far to windward, that, with a moderate easterly breeze which sprung up,
we were able to sail. It was nevertheless dark when we got to Tofoa,
where I expected to land; but the shore proved to be so steep and
rocky, that I was obliged to give up all thoughts of it, and keep the
boat under the lee of the island with two oars; for there was no
anchorage. Having fixed on this mode of proceeding for the night, I
served to every person half a pint of grog, and each took to his rest
as well as our unhappy situation would allow. In the morning, at dawn of
day, we set off along shore in search of landing, and about ten o'clock
we discovered a stony cove at the NW part of the island, where I dropt
the grapnel within 20 yards of the rocks. A great deal of surf ran on
the shore; but, as I was unwilling to diminish our stock of provisions,
I landed Mr. Samuel, and some others, who climbed the cliffs, and got
into the country to search for supplies. The rest of us remained at the
cove, not discovering any way to get into the country, but that by
which Mr. Samuel had proceeded. It was great consolation to me to find,
that the spirits of my people did not sink, notwithstanding our
miserable and almost hopeless situation. Towards noon Mr. Samuel
returned, with a few quarts of water, which he had found in holes; but
he had met with no spring, or any prospect of a sufficient supply in
that particular, and had only seen signs of inhabitants. As it was
impossible to know how much we might be in want, I only issued a morsel
of bread, and a glass of wine, to each person for dinner. I observed the latitude of
this cove to be 19° 41' S. This is the NW part of
Tofoa, the north-westernmost of the Friendly Islands. Thursday, April 30th. Fair
weather, but the wind blew so violently from the ESE that I could not
venture to sea. Our detention therefore made it absolutely necessary to
see what we could do more for our support; for I determined, if
possible, to keep my first stock entire: I therefore weighed, and rowed
along shore, to see if any thing could be got; and at last discovered
some cocoa-nut trees, but they were on the top of high precipices, and
the surf made it dangerous landing; both one and the other we, however,
got the better of. Some, with much difficulty, climbed the cliffs, and
got about 20 cocoa-nuts, and others slung them to ropes, by which we
hauled them through the surf into the boat. This was all that could be
done here; and, as I found no place so eligible as the one we had left
to spend the night at, I returned to the cove, and, having served a
cocoa-nut to each person, we went to rest again in the boat. At dawn of day I attempted
to get to sea; but the wind and weather proved so bad, that I was glad
to return to my former station; where, after issuing a morsel of bread
and a spoonful of rum to each person, we landed, and I went off with
Mr. Nelson, Mr. Samuel, and some others, into the country, having
hauled ourselves up the precipice by long vines, which were fixed there
by the natives for that purpose; this being the only way into the
country. We found a few deserted
huts, and a small plantain walk, but little taken care of; from which
we could only collect three small bunches of plantains. After passing
this place, we came to a deep gully that led towards a mountain, near a
volcano; and, as I conceived that in the rainy season very great
torrents of water must pass through it, we hoped to find sufficient for
our use remaining in some holes of the rocks; but, after all our
search, the whole that we found was only nine gallons, in the course of
the day. We advanced within two miles of the foot of the highest
mountain in the island, on which is the volcano that is almost
constantly burning. The country near it is all covered with lava, and
has a most dreary appearance. As we had not been fortunate in our
discoveries, and saw but little to alleviate our distresses, we filled
our cocoa-nut shells with the water we found, and returned exceedingly
fatigued and faint. When I came to the precipice whence we were to
descend into the cove, I was seized with such a dizziness in my head,
that I thought it scarce possible to effect it: however, by the
assistance of Mr. Nelson and others, they at last got me down, in a
weak condition. Every person being returned by noon, I gave about an
ounce of pork and two plantains to each, with half a glass of wine. I
again observed the latitude of this place 19° 41' south. The people
who remained by the boat I had directed to look for fish, or what they
could pick up about the rocks; but nothing eatable could be found: so
that, upon the whole, we considered ourselves on as miserable a spot of
land as could well be imagined. I could not say positively,
from the former knowledge I had of this island, whether it was
inhabited or not; but I knew it was considered inferior to the other
islands, and I was not certain but that the Indians only resorted to it
at particular times. I was very anxious to ascertain this point; for,
in case there had only been a few people, here, and those could have
furnished us with but very moderate supplies, the remaining in this
spot to have made preparations for our voyage, would have been
preferable to the risk of going amongst multitudes, where perhaps we
might lose every thing. A party, there fore, sufficiently strong, I
determined should go another route, as soon as the sun became lower;
and they cheerfully undertook it. Friday, May the 1st: stormy
weather, wind ESE and SE. About two o'clock in the afternoon the party
set out; but, after suffering much fatigue, they returned in the
evening, without any kind of success. At the head of the cove,
about 150 yards from the water-side, was a cave; across the stony beach
was about 100 yards, and the only way from the country into the cove
was that which I have already described. The situation secured us from
the danger of being surprised, and I determined to remain on shore for
the night, with a part of my people, that the others might have more
room to rest in the boat, with the master; whom I directed to lie at a
grapnel, and be watchful, in case we should be attacked. I ordered one
plantain for each person to be boiled; and, having supped on this
scanty allowance, with a quarter of a pint of grog, and fixed the
watches for the night, those whose turn it was, laid down to sleep in
the cave; before which we kept up a good fire, yet notwithstanding we
were much troubled with flies and musquitoes. At dawn of day the party set
out again in a different route, to see what they could find; in the
course of which they suffered greatly for want of water: they, however,
met with two men, a woman, and a child; the men came with them to the
cove, and brought two cocoanut shells of water. I immediately made
friends with these people, and sent them away for bread-fruit,
plantains, and water. Soon after other natives came to us; and by noon
I had 30 of them about me, trading with the articles we were in want
of: but I could only afford one ounce of pork, and a quarter of a
bread-fruit, to each man for dinner, with half a pint of water; for I
was fixed in not using any of the bread or water in the boat. No particular chief was yet
among the natives: they were, notwithstanding, tractable, and behaved
honestly, giving the provisions they brought for a few buttons and
beads. The party who had been out, informed me of having discovered
several neat plantations; so that it became no longer a doubt of there
being settled inhabitants on the island; and for that reason I
determined to get what I could, and sail the first moment the wind and
weather would allow me to put to sea. Saturday, May the 2d: stormy
weather, wind ESE. It had hitherto been a weighty consideration with
me, how I was to account to the natives for the loss of my ship: I knew
they had too much sense to be amused with a story that the ship was to
join me, when she was not in sight from the hills. I was at first
doubtful whether I should tell the real fact, or say that the ship had
overset and sunk, and that only we were saved: the latter appeared to
me to be the most proper and advantageous to us, and I accordingly
instructed my people, that we might all agree in one story. As I
expected, enquiries were made after the ship, and they seemed readily
satisfied with our account; but there did not appear the least symptom
of joy or sorrow in their faces, although I fancied I discovered some
marks of surprise. Some of the natives were coming and going the whole
afternoon, and we got enough of bread-fruit, plantains, and cocoa-nuts
for another day; but water they only brought us about five pints. A
canoe also came in with four men, and brought a few cocoa-nuts and
bread-fruit, which I bought as I had done the rest. Nails were much
enquired after, but I would not suffer one to be shewn, as I wanted
them for the use of the boat. Towards evening I had the
satisfaction to find our stock of provisions somewhat increased: but
the natives did not appear to have much to spare. What they brought was
in such small quantities, that I had no reason to hope we should be
able to procure from them sufficient to stock us for our voyage. At
sunset all the natives left us in quiet possession of the cove. I
thought this a good sign, and made no doubt that they would come again
the next day with a larger proportion of food and water, with which I
hoped to sail without farther delay: for if, in attempting to get to
Tongataboo, we should be blown away from the islands altogether, there
would be a larger quantity of provisions to support us against such a
misfortune. At night I served a quarter
of a bread-fruit and a cocoa-nut to each person for supper; and, a good
fire being made, all but the watch went to sleep. At day-break I was happy to
find every one's spirits a little revived, and that they no longer
regarded me with those anxious looks, which had constantly been
directed towards me since we lost sight of the ship: every countenance
appeared to have a degree of cheerfulness, and they all seemed
determined to do their best. As I doubted of water being
brought by the natives, I sent a party among the gullies in the
mountains, with empty shells, to see what they could get. In their
absence the natives came about us, as I expected, but more numerous;
also two canoes came in from round the north side of the island. In one
of them was an elderly chief, called Maccaackavow. Soon after some of
our foraging party returned, and with them came a good-looking chief,
called Eegijeefow, or perhaps more properly Eefow, Egij or Eghee,
signifying a chief. To both these men I made a present of an old shirt
and a knife, and I soon found they either had seen me, or had heard of
my being at Annamooka. They knew I had been with captain Cook, who they
enquired after, and also captain Clerk. They were very inquisitive to
know in what manner I had lost my ship. During this conversation a
young man appeared, whom I remembered to have seen at Annamooka, called
Nageete: he expressed much pleasure at seeing me. I now enquired after
Poulaho and Feenow, who, they said, were at Tongataboo; and Eefow agreed
to accompany me thither, if I would wait till the weather moderated.
The readiness and affability of this man gave me much satisfaction. This, however, was but of
short duration, for the natives began to increase in number, and I
observed some symptoms of a design against us; soon after they
attempted to haul the boat on shore, when I threatened Eefow with a
cutlass, to induce him to make them desist; which they did, and every
thing became quiet again. My people, who had been in the mountains, now
returned with about three gallons of water. I kept buying up the little
bread-fruit that was brought to us, and likewise some spears to arm my
men with, having only four cutlasses, two of which were in the boat. As
we had no means of improving our situation, I told our people I would
wait until sun-set, by which time, perhaps, something might happen in
our favour: that if we attempted to go at present, we must fight our
way through, which we could do more advantageously at night; and that
in the mean time we would endeavour to get off to the boat what we had
bought. The beach was now lined with the natives, and we heard nothing
but the knocking of stones together, which they had in each hand. I
knew very well this was the sign of an attack. It being now noon, I
served a cocoa-nut and a bread-fruit to each person for dinner, and
gave some to the chiefs, with whom I continued to appear intimate and
friendly. They frequently importuned me to sit down, but I as
constantly refused; for it occurred both to Mr. Nelson and myself, that
they intended to seize hold of me, if I gave them such an opportunity.
Keeping, therefore, constantly on our guard, we were suffered to eat
our uncomfortable meal in some quietness. Sunday, 3d May. Fresh gales
at SE and ESE, varying to the NE in the latter part, with a storm of
wind. After dinner we began by
little and little to get our things into the boat, which was a
troublesome business, on account of the surf. I carefully watched the
motions of the natives, who still increased in number, and found that,
instead of their intention being to leave us, fires were made, and
places fixed on for their stay during the night. Consultations were
also held among them, and every thing assured me we should be attacked.
I sent orders to the master, that when he saw us coming down, he should
keep the boat close to the shore, that we might the more readily embark. I had my journal on shore
with me, writing the occurrences in the cave, and in sending it down to
the boat it was nearly snatched away, but for the timely assistance of
the gunner. The sun was near setting
when I gave the word, on which every person, who was on shore with me,
boldly took up his proportion of things, and carried them to the boat.
The chiefs asked me if I would not stay with them all night, I said,
"No, I never sleep out of my boat; but in the morning we will again
trade with you, and I shall remain until the weather is moderate, that
we may go, as we have agreed, to see Poulaho, at Tongataboo.
Maccaackavow then got up, and said, "You will not sleep on shore? then
Mattie," (which directly signifies we will kill you) and he left me.
The onset was now preparing; everyone, as I have described before, kept
knocking stones together, and Eefow quitted me. We had now all but two
or three things in the boat, when I took Nageete by the hand, and we
walked down the beach, every one in a silent kind of horror. When I came to the boat, and
was seeing the people embark, Nageete wanted me to stay to speak to
Eefow; but I found he was encouraging them to the attack, and I
determined, had it then begun, to have killed him for his treacherous
behaviour. I ordered the carpenter not to quit me until the other
people were in the boat. Nageete, finding I would not stay, loosed
himself from my hold and went off, and we all got into the boat except
one man, who, while I was getting on board, quitted it, and ran up the
beach to cast the stern fast off, notwithstanding the master and others
called to him to return, while they were hauling me out of the water. I was no sooner in the boat
than the attack began by about 200 men; the unfortunate poor man who
had run up the beach was knocked down, and the stones flew like a
shower of shot. Many Indians got hold of the stern rope, and were near
hauling us on shore, and would certainly have done it if I had not had
a knife in my pocket, with which I cut the rope. We then hauled off to
the grapnel, every one being more or less hurt. At this time I saw five
of the natives about the poor man they had killed, and two of them were
beating him about the head with stones in their hands. We had no time to reflect,
before, to my surprise, they filled their canoes with stones, and
twelve men came off after us to renew the attack, which they did so
effectually as nearly to disable all of us. Our grapnel was foul, but
Providence here assisted us; the fluke broke, and we got to our oars,
and pulled to sea. They, however, could paddle round us, so that we
were obliged to sustain the attack without being able to return it,
except with such stones as lodged in the boat, and in this I found we
were very inferior to them. We could not close, because our boat was
lumbered and heavy, and that they knew very well: I therefore adopted
the expedient of throwing overboard some cloaths, which they lost time
in picking up; and, as it was now almost dark, they gave over the
attack, and returned towards the shore, leaving us to reflect on our
unhappy situation. The poor man I lost was John
Norton: this was his second voyage with me as a quarter-master, and his
worthy character made me lament his loss very much. He has left an aged
parent, I am told, whom he supported. I once before sustained an
attack of a similar nature, with a smaller number of Europeans, against
a multitude of Indians; it was after the death of captain Cook, on the
Morai at Owhyhee, where I was left by lieutenant King: yet,
notwithstanding, I did not conceive that the power of a man's arm could
throw stones, from two to eight pounds weight, with such force and
exactness as these people did. Here unhappily I was without arms, and
the Indians knew it; but it was a fortunate circumstance that they did
not begin to attack us in the cave: in that case our destruction must
have been inevitable, and we should have had nothing left for it but to
die as bravely as we could, fighting close together; in which I found
every one cheerfully disposed to join me. This appearance of resolution
deterred them, supposing they could effect their purpose without risk
after we were in the boat. Taking this as a sample of
the dispositions of the Indians, there was little reason to expect much
benefit if I persevered in my intention of visiting Poulaho; for I
considered their good behaviour hitherto to proceed from a dread of our
fire-arms, which, now knowing us destitute of, would cease; and, even
supposing our lives not in danger, the boat and every thing we had
would most probably be taken from us, and thereby all hopes precluded
of ever being able to return to our native country. We were now sailing along
the west side of the island Tofoa, and my mind was employed in
considering what was best to be done, when I was solicited by all hands
to take them towards home: and, when I told them no hopes of relief for
us remained, but what I might find at New Holland, until I came to
Timor, a distance of full 1200 leagues, there was a Dutch settlement,
but in what part of the island I knew not, they all agreed to live on
one ounce of bread, and a quarter of a pint of water, per day.
Therefore, after examining our stock of provisions, and recommending
this as a sacred promise for ever to their memory, we bore away across
a sea, where the navigation is but little known, in a small boat,
twenty-three feet long from stem to stern, deep laden with eighteen
men; without a chart, and nothing but my own recollection and general
knowledge of the situation of places, assisted by a book of latitudes
and longitudes, to guide us. I was happy, however, to see every one
better satisfied with our situation in this particular than myself. Our stock of provisions
consisted of about one hundred and fifty pounds of bread, twenty-eight
gallons of water, twenty pounds of pork, three bottles of wine, and
five quarts of rum. The difference between this and the quantity we had
on leaving the ship, was principally owing to loss in the bustle and
confusion of the attack. A few cocoa-nuts were in the boat, and some
bread-fruit, but the latter was trampled to pieces. It was about eight o'clock
at night when I bore away under a reefed lug fore-sail: and, having
divided the people into watches, and got the boat in a little order, we
returned God thanks for our miraculous preservation, and, fully
confident of his gracious support, I found my mind more at ease than
for some time past. At day-break the gale
increased; the sun rose very fiery and red, a sure indication of a
severe gale of wind. At eight it blew a violent storm, and the sea ran
very high, so that between the seas the sail was becalmed, and when on
the top of the sea it was too much to have set: but I was obliged to
carry to it, for we were now in very imminent danger and distress, the
sea curling over the stern of the boat, which obliged us to bale with
all our might. A situation more distressing has, perhaps, seldom been
experienced. Our bread was in bags, and
in danger of being spoiled by the wet: to be starved to death was
inevitable, if this could not be prevented: I therefore began to
examine what cloaths there were in the boat, and what other things
could be spared; and, having determined that only two suits should be
kept for each person, the rest was thrown overboard, with some rope and
spare sails, which lightened the boat considerably, and we had more
room to bale the water out. Fortunately the carpenter had a good chest
in the boat, into which I put the bread the first favourable moment.
His tool chest also was cleared, and the tools stowed in the bottom of
the boat, so that this became a second convenience. I now served a tea-spoonful
of rum to each person, (for we were very wet and cold) with a quarter
of a bread-fruit, which was scarce eatable, for dinner; but our
engagement was now strictly to be carried into execution, and I was
fully determined to make what provisions I had last eight weeks, let
the daily proportion be ever so small. At noon I considered my
course and distance from Tofoa to be WNW 3/4W. 86 miles, my latitude
19° 27' S. I directed my course to the WNW, that I might get a
sight of the islands called Feejee, if they laid in the direction the
natives had pointed out to me. Monday, 4th May. This day
the weather was very severe, it blew a storm from NE to ESE. The sea
ran higher than yesterday, and the fatigue of baling, to keep the boat
from filling, was exceedingly great. We could do nothing more than keep
before the sea; in the course of which the boat performed so
wonderfully well, that I no longer dreaded any danger in that respect.
But among the hardships we were to undergo, that of being constantly
wet was not the least: the nights were very cold, and at day-light our
limbs were so benumbed, that we could scarce find the use of them. At
this time I served a teaspoonful of rum to each person, which we all
found great benefit from. As I have mentioned before,
I determined to keep to the WNW, until I got more to the northward, for
I not only expected to have better weather, but to see the Feejee
Islands, as I have often understood, from the natives of Annamooka,
that they lie in that direction; Captain Cook likewise considers them
to be NW by W from Tongataboo. Just before noon we discovered a small
flat island of a moderate height, bearing WSW, 4 or 5 leagues. I
observed in latitude 18° 58' S; our longitude, by account, 3°
4' W from the island Tofoa, having made a N 72° W course, distance
95 miles, since yesterday noon. I divided five small cocoa-nuts for our
dinner, and every one was satisfied. Tuesday, 5th May. Towards
the evening the gale considerably abated. Wind SE. A little after noon, other
islands appeared, and at a quarter past three o'clock we could count
eight, bearing from S round by the west to NW by N; those to the south,
which were the nearest, being four leagues distant from us. I kept my course to the NW
by W, between the islands, and at six o'clock discovered three other
small islands to the NW, the westernmost of them bore NW1/2W 7 leagues.
I steered to the southward of these islands, a WNW course for the
night, under a reefed sail. Served a few broken pieces
of bread-fruit for supper, and performed prayers. The night turned out fair,
and, having had tolerable rest, everyone seemed considerably better in
the morning, and contentedly breakfasted on a few pieces of yams that
were found in the boat. After breakfast we prepared a chest for our
bread, and got it secured: but unfortunately a great deal was damaged
and rotten; this nevertheless we were glad to keep for use. I had hitherto been scarcely
able to keep any account of our run; but we now equipped ourselves a
little better, by getting a log-line marked, and, having practiced at
counting seconds, several could do it with some degree of exactness. The islands I have passed
lie between the latitude of 19° 5' Sand 18° 19' S, and,
according to my reckoning, from 3° 17' to 3° 46' W longitude
from the island Tofoa: the largest may be about six leagues in circuit;
but it is impossible for me to be very exact. To show where they are to
be found again is the most my situation enabled me to do. The sketch I
have made, will give a comparative view of their extent. I believe all
the larger islands are inhabited, as they appeared very fertile. At noon I observed, in
latitude 18° 10' S, and considered my course and distance from
yesterday noon, NW by W1/2W, 94 miles; longitude, by account, from
Tofoa 4° 29' W. For dinner, I served some of
the damaged bread, and a quarter of a pint of water. Wednesday, 6th May. Fresh
breezes ENE, and fair weather, but very hazy. About six o'clock this
afternoon I discovered two islands, one Our supper, breakfast, and
dinner, consisted of a quarter of a pint of cocoa-nut milk, and the
meat, which did not exceed two ounces to each person: it was received
very contentedly, but we suffered great drought. I dared not to land,
as we had no arms, and were less capable to defend ourselves than we
were at Tofoa. To keep an account of the
boat's run was rendered difficult, from being constantly wet with the
sea breaking over us; but, as we advanced towards the land, the sea
became smoother, and I was enabled to form a sketch of the islands,
which will serve to give a general knowledge of their extent. Those I
have been near are fruitful and hilly, some very mountainous, and all
of a good height. To our great joy we hooked a
fish, but we were miserably disappointed by its being lost in getting
into the boat. Thursday, 7th May. Variable
weather and cloudy, wind north-easterly, and calms. I continued my
course to the NW, between the islands, which, by the evening, appeared
of considerable extent, woody, and mountainous. At sun-set the
southernmost bore from S to SW by W, and the northernmost from N by
W1/2W to NE1/2E. At six o'clock I was nearly mid-way between them, and
about 6 leagues distant from each shore, when I fell in with a coral
bank, where I had only four feet water, without the least break on it,
or ruffle of the sea to give us warning. I could only see that it
extended about a mile on each side of us; but, as it is probable that
it extends much farther, I have laid it down so in my sketch. I now directed my course W
by N for the night, and served to each person an ounce of the damaged
bread, and a quarter of a pint of water, for supper. It may readily be supposed,
that our lodgings were very miserable and confined, and I had only in
my power to remedy the latter defect by putting ourselves at watch and
watch; so that one half always sat up while the other lay down on the
boat's bottom, or upon a chest, with nothing to cover us but the
heavens. Our limbs were dreadfully cramped, for we could not stretch
them out, and the nights were so cold, and we so constantly wet, that
after a few hours sleep we could scarce move. At dawn of day we again
discovered land from WSW to WNW, and another island NNW, the latter a
high round lump of but little extent; and I could see the southern land
that I had passed in the night. Being very wet and cold, I served a
spoonful of rum and a morsel of bread for breakfast. As I advanced towards the
land in the west, it appeared in a variety of forms; some extraordinary
high rocks, and the country agreeably interspersed with high and low
land, covered in some places with wood. Off the NE part lay two small
rocky islands, between which and the island to the NE, 4 leagues apart,
I directed my course; but a lee current very unexpectedly set us very
near to the shore, and I could only get clear of it by rowing, passing
close to the reef that surrounded the rocky isles. We now observed two
large sailing canoes coming swiftly after us along shore, and, being
apprehensive of their intentions, we rowed with some anxiety, being
sensible of our weak and defenceless state. It was now noon, calm and
cloudy weather, my latitude is therefore doubtful to 3 or 4 miles; my
course since yesterday noon N 56 W, distance 79 miles; latitude by
account, 16° 29' S, and longitude by account, from Tofoa, 6°
46' W. Being constantly wet, it was with the utmost difficulty I could
open a book to write, and I am sensible that what I have done can only
serve to point out where these lands are to be found again, and give an
idea of their extent. Friday, 8th May. All the
afternoon the weather was very rainy, attended with thunder and
lightning. Wind NNE. Only one of the canoes
gained upon us, and by three o'clock in the afternoon was not more than
two miles off, when she gave over chase. If I may judge from the sail
of the vessels, they are the same as at the Friendly Islands, and the
nearness of their situation leaves little room to doubt of their being
the same kind of people. Whether these canoes had any hostile intention
against us is a matter of doubt; perhaps we might have benefited by an
intercourse with them, but in our defenceless situation it would have
been risking too much to make the experiment.. I imagine these to be the
islands called Feejee, as their extent, direction, and distance from
the Friendly Islands, answers to the description given of them by those
Islanders. Heavy rain came on at our o'clock, when every person did
their utmost to catch some water, and we increased our stock to 34
gallons, besides quenching our thirst for the first time since we had
been at sea; but an attendant consequence made us pass the night very
miserably, for, being extremely wet, and no dry things to shift or
cover us, we experienced cold and shiverings scarce to be conceived.
Most fortunately for us, the forenoon turned out fair, and we stripped
and dried our cloaths. The allowance I issued to-day, was an ounce and
a half of pork, a teaspoonful of rum, half a pint of cocoa-nut milk,
and an ounce of bread. The rum, though so small in quantity, was of the
greatest service. A fishing-line was generally towing, and we saw great
numbers of fish, but could never catch one. At noon, I observed, in
latitude 16° 4' S, and found I had made a course, from yesterday
noon, N 62° W, distance 62 miles; longitude, by account, from
Tofoa, 7° 42' W. The land I passed yesterday,
and the day before, is a group of islands, 14 or 16 in number, lying
between the latitude of 16° 26' S and1 57' S, and in longitude, by
my account, 4° 47' to 7° 17' W from Tofoa; three of these
islands are very large, having from 30 to 40 leagues of sea-coast. Saturday, 9th May. Fine
weather, and light winds from the NE to E by S. This afternoon we cleaned
out the boat, and it employed us till sun-set to get every thing dry
and in order. Hitherto I had issued the allowance by guess, but I now
got a pair of scales, made with two cocoa-nut shells; and, having
accidentally some pistol-balls in the boat, 25': of which weighed one
pound, or 16 ounces, I adopted one, as the proportion of weight that
each person should receive of bread at the times I served it. I also
amused all hands, with describing the situation of New Guinea and New
Holland, and gave them every information in my power, that in case any
accident happened to me, those who survived might have some idea of
what they were about, and be able to find their way to Timor, which at
present they knew nothing of, more than the name, and some not that. At night I served a quarter
of a pint of water, and half an ounce of bread, for supper. In the
morning, a quarter of a pint of cocoa-nut milk, and some of the decayed
bread, for breakfast; and for dinner, I divided the meat of four
cocoa-nuts, with the remainder of the rotten bread, which was only
eatable by such distressed people. At noon, I observed the
latitude to be 15° 47' S; course since yesterday N 75° W;
distant 64 miles; longitude made, by account, 8° 45' W. Sunday, May the 10th. The
first part of this day fine weather; but after sun-set it became
squally, with hard rain, thunder, and lightning, and a fresh gale; wind
E by S, SE, and SSE. In the afternoon I got
fitted a pair of shrouds for each mast and contrived a canvass weather
cloth round the boat, and raised the quarters about nine inches, by
nailing on the seats of the stern sheets, which proved of great benefit
to us. About nine o'clock in the
evening, the clouds began to gather, and we had a prodigious fall of
rain, with severe thunder and lightning. By midnight we had caught
about twenty gallons of water. Being miserably wet and cold, I served
to each person a tea-spoonful of rum, to enable them to bear with their
distressed situation. The weather continued extremely bad, and the wind
increased; we spent a very miserable night, without sleep, but such as
could be got in the midst of rain. The day brought us no relief but
its' light. The sea was constantly breaking over us, which kept two
persons baling; and we had no choice how to steer, for we were obliged
to keep before the waves to avoid filling the boat. The allowance which I now
regularly served to each person was one 25th of a pound of bread, and a
quarter of a pint of water, at sun-set, eight in the morning, and at
noon. To-day I gave about half an ounce of pork for dinner, which,
though any moderate person would have considered but a mouthful, was
divided into three or four. The rain abated towards noon, and I
observed the latitude to be 15° 17' S; course N 6r W; distance 78
miles; longitude made 10° W. Monday, May the 11th. Strong gales
from SSE to SE, and very squally weather, with a high breaking sea, so
that we were miserably wet, and suffered great cold in the night. In
the morning at day-break I served to every person a tea-spoonful of
rum, our limbs being so cramped that we could scarce feel the use of
them. Our situation was now extremely dangerous, the sea frequently
running over our stern, which kept us baling with all our strength. At noon the sun appeared,
which gave us as much pleasure as in a winter's day in England. I
issued the 25th of a pound of bread, and a quarter of a pint of water,
as yesterday. Latitude observed 14° 50' S; course N 71 ° W;
distance 102 miles; and longitude, by account, 11 ° 39' W. from
Tofoa. Tuesday, May the 12th.
Strong gales at SE, with much rain and dark dismal weather, moderating
towards noon, and wind varying to the NE. Having again experienced a
dreadful night, the day showed to me a poor miserable set of beings
full of wants, without any thing to relieve them. Some complained of a
great pain in their bowels, and all of having but very little use of
their limbs. What sleep we got was scarce refreshing, we being covered
with sea and rain. Two persons were obliged to be always baling the
water out of the boat. I served a spoonful of rum at day-dawn, and the
usual allowance of bread and water, for supper, breakfast, and dinner. At noon it was almost calm,
no sun to be seen, and some of us shivering with cold. Course since
yesterday W by N; distance 89 miles; latitude, by account, 14° 33'
S; longitude made 13° 9' W. The direction of my course is to pass
to the northward of the New Hebrides. Wednesday, May the 13th.
Very squally weather, wind southerly. As I saw no prospect of getting
our cloaths dried, I recommended it to everyone to strip, and wring
them through the salt water, by which means they received a warmth,
that, while wet with rain, they could not have, and we were less liable
to suffer from colds or rheumatic complaints. In the afternoon we saw a
kind of fruit on the water, which Mr. Nelson knew to be the
Barringtonia of Forster, and, as I saw the same again in the morning,
and some men of war birds, I was led to believe we were not far from
land. We continued constantly
shipping seas, and baling, and were very wet and cold in the night; but
I could not afford the allowance of rum at day-break. The twenty-fifth
of a pound of bread, and water I served as usual. At noon I had a sight
of the sun, latitude 14° 17' S; course W by N 79 miles; longitude
made 14° 28' W. Thursday, May the 14th.
Fresh breezes and cloudy weather, wind southerly. Constantly shipping
water, and very wet, suffering much cold and shiverings in the night.
Served the usual allowance of bread and water, three times a day. At six in the morning, we
saw land, from SW by S eight leagues, to NW by W3/4W six leagues, which
I soon after found to be four islands, all of them high -and
remarkable. At noon discovered a rocky island NW by N four leagues, and
another island Weight leagues, so that the whole were six in number;
the four I had first seen bearing from S1/2E to SW by S; our distance
three leagues from the nearest island. My latitude observed was 13°
29' S, and longitude, by account, from Tofoa, 15° 49' W; course
since yesterday noon N 63° W; distance 89 miles. Friday, May the 15th. Fresh
gales at SE, and gloomy weather with rain, and a very high sea; two
people constantly employed baling. At four in the afternoon I
passed the westernmost island. At one in the morning I discovered
another, bearing WNW, five leagues distance, and at eight o'clock I saw
it for the last time, bearing NE seven leagues. A number of gannets,
boobies, and men of war birds were seen. These islands lie between
the latitude of 13° 16' Sand 14° 10' S: their longitude,
according to my reckoning, 15° 51' to 17° 6' W from the island
Tofoa. The largest island may be twenty leagues in circuit, the others
five or six. The easternmost is the smallest island, and most
remarkable, having a high sugar-loaf hill. The sight of these islands
served but to increase the misery of our situation. We were very little
better than starving, with plenty in view; yet to attempt procuring any
relief was attended with so much danger, that prolonging of life, even
in the midst of misery, was thought preferable, while there remained
hopes of being able to surmount our hardships. For my own part, I
consider the general run of cloudy and wet weather to be a blessing of
Providence. Hot weather would have caused us to have died with thirst;
and perhaps being so constantly covered with rain or sea protected us
from that dreadful calamity. As I had nothing to assist
my memory, I could not determine whether these islands were a part of
the New Hebrides or not: I believed them perfectly a new discovery,
which I have since found to be the case; but, though they were not seen
either by Monsieur Bougainville or Captain Cook, they are so nearly in
the neighbourhood of the New Hebrides, that they must be considered as
part of the same group. They are fertile, and inhabited, as I saw smoke
in several places. Saturday, May the 16th.
Fresh gales from the SE, and rainy weather. The night was very dark,
not a star to be seen to steer by, and the sea breaking constantly over
us. I found it necessary to act as much as possible against the
southerly winds, to prevent being driven too near New Guinea; for in
general we were forced to keep so much before the sea, that if we had
not, at intervals of moderate weather, steered a more southerly course,
we should inevitably, from a continuance of the gales, have been thrown
in sight of that coast: in which case there would most probably have
been an end to our voyage. In addition to our miserable
allowance of one 25th of a pound of bread, and a quarter of a pint of
water, I issued for dinner about an ounce of salt pork to each person.
I was often solicited for this pork, but I considered it better to give
it in small quantities than to use all at once or twice, which would
have been done if I had allowed it. At noon I observed, in
13° 33' S; longitude made from Tofoa, 19° 27' W; course N
82° W; distance 101 miles. The sun gave us hopes of drying our wet
cloaths. Sunday, May the 17th. The
sunshine was but of short duration. We had strong breezes at SE by S,
and dark gloomy weather, with storms of thunder, lightning, and rain.
The night was truly horrible, and not a star to be seen; so that our
steerage was uncertain. At dawn f day I found every person complaining,
and some of them soliciting extra allowance; but I positively refused
it. Our situation was extremely miserable; always wet, and suffering
extreme cold in the night, without the least shelter from the weather.
Being constantly obliged to bale, to keep the boat from filling, was,
perhaps, not to be reckoned an evil, as it gave us exercise. The little rum I had was of
great service to us; when our nights were particularly distressing, I
generally served a tea-spoonful or two to each person: and it was
always joyful tidings when they heard of my intentions. At noon a water-spout was
very near on board of us. I issued an ounce of pork, in addition to the
allowance of bread and water; but before we began to eat, every person
stript and wrung their cloaths through the sea-water, which we found
warm and refreshing. Course since yesterday noon WSW; distance 100
miles; latitude, by account, 14° 11' S, and longitude made 21 °
3' W.. Monday, May the 18th. Fresh
gales with rain, and a dark dismal night, wind SE; the sea constantly
breaking over us, and nothing but the wind and sea to direct our
steerage. I now fully determined to make New Holland, to the southward
of Endeavour straits, sensible that it was necessary to preserve such a
situation as would make a southerly wind a fair one; that I might range
the reefs until an opening should be found into smooth water, and we
the sooner be able to pick up some refreshments. I In the morning the rain
abated, when we stripped, and wrung our cloaths through the sea-water,
as usual, which refreshed us wonderfully. Every person complained of
violent pain in their bones: I was only surprised that no one was yet
laid up. Served one 25th of a pound of bread, and a quarter of a pint
of water, at supper, breakfast, and dinner, as customary. At noon I deduced my
situation, by account, for we had no glimpse of the sun, to be in
latitude 14° 52' S; course since yesterday noon WSW 106 miles;
longitude made from Tofoa 22° 45' W. Saw many boobies and noddies,
a sign of being in the neighbourhood of land. Tuesday, May the 19th. Fresh
gales at ENE, with heavy rain, and dark gloomy weather, and no sight of
the sun. We past this day miserably wet and cold, covered with rain and
sea, from which we had no relief, but at intervals by pulling off our
cloaths and wringing them through the sea water. In the night we had
very severe lightning, but otherwise it was so dark that we could not
see each other. The morning produced many
complaints on the severity of the weather, and I would gladly have
issued my allowance of rum, if it had not appeared to me that we were
to suffer much more, and that it was necessary to preserve the little I
had, to give relief at a time we might be less able to bear such
hardships; but, to make up for it, I served out about half an ounce of
pork to each person, with the common allowance of bread and water, for
dinner. All night and day we were obliged to bale without intermission. At noon it was very bad
weather and constant rain; latitude, by account, 14° 37' S; course
since yesterday N 81 ° W; distance 100 miles; longitude made
24° 30' W. ' Wednesday, May the 20th.
Fresh breezes ENE with constant rain; at times a deluge. Always baling. At dawn of day, some of my
people seemed half dead: our appearances were horrible; and I could
look no way, but I caught the eye of some one in distress. Extreme
hunger was now too evident, but no one suffered from thirst, nor had we
much inclination to drink, that desire, perhaps, being satisfied
through the skin. The little sleep we got was in the midst of water,
and we constantly awoke with severe cramps and pains in our bones. This
morning I served about two teaspoonfuls of rum to each person, and the
allowance of bread and water, as usual. At noon the sun broke out, and
revived everyone. I found we were in latitude 14° 49' S; longitude
made 25° 46' W; course S 88° W; distance 75 miles. Thursday, May the 21st.
Fresh gales, and heavy showers of rain. Wind ENE.. Our distresses were now very
great, and we were so covered with rain and salt water, that we could
scarcely see. Sleep, though we longed for it, afforded no comfort: for
my own part, I almost lived without it: we suffered extreme cold, and
every one dreaded the approach of night. About two o'clock in the
morning we were overwhelmed with a deluge of rain. It fell so heavy
that we were afraid it would fill the boat, and were obliged to bale
with all our might. At dawn of day, I served a large allowance of rum.
Towards noon the rain abated and the sun shone, but we were miserably
cold and wet, the sea breaking so constantly over us, that,
notwithstanding the heavy rain, we had not been able to add to our
stock of fresh water. The usual allowance of one 25th of a pound of
bread and water was served at evening, morning, and noon. Latitude, by
observation, 14° 29' S, and longitude made, by account, from Tofoa,
27° 25' W; course, since yesterday noon, N 78°W, 99 miles. I
now considered myself on a meridian with the east part of New Guinea,
and about 65 leagues distant from the coast of New Holland. Friday, May the 22d. Strong
gales from ESE to SSE, a high sea, and dark dismal night. Our situation this day was
extremely calamitous. We were obliged to take the course of the sea,
running right before it, and watching with the utmost care, as the
least error in the helm would in a moment have been our destruction.
The sea was continually breaking all over us; but, as we suffered not
such cold as when wet with the rain, I only served the common allowance
of bread and water. At noon it blew very hard,
and the foam of the sea kept running over our stern and quarters; I
however got propped up, and made an observation of the latitude, in
14° 17' S; course N 85° W; distance 130 miles; longitude made
29° 38' west.. Saturday, May the 23d.
Strong gales with very hard squalls, and rain; wind SE, and SSE. The misery we suffered this
day exceeded the preceding. The night was dreadful. The sea flew over
us with great force, and kept us baling with horror and anxiety. At
dawn of day I found every one in a most distressed condition, and I now
began to fear that another such a night would put an end to the lives
of several who seemed no longer able to support such sufferings.
Everyone complained of severe pains in their bones; but these were
alleviated, in some degree, by an allowance of two tea-spoonfuls of
rum; after drinking which, having wrung our cloaths, and taken our
breakfast of bread and water, we became a little refreshed. Towards noon it became fair
weather; but with very little abatement of the gale, and the sea
remained equally high. With great difficulty I observed the latitude to
be 13° 44' S; course N 74° W; distance 116 miles since
yesterday; longitude made 31 ° 32' W from Tofoa. Sunday, May the 24th. Fresh
gales and fine weather; wind SSE and S. Towards the evening the
weather looked much better, which rejoiced all hands, so that they eat
their scanty allowance with more satisfaction than for some time past.
The night also was fair; but, being always wet with the sea, we
suffered much from the cold. A fine morning, I had the pleasure to see,
produce some chearful countenances. Towards noon the weather improved,
and, the first time for 15 days past, we found a little warmth from the
sun. We stripped, and hung our cloaths up to dry, which were by this
time become so thread-bare, that they would not keep out either wet or
cold. At noon I observed in
latitude 13° 33' S; longitude, by account, from Tofoa 33° 28'
W; course N 84° W; distance 114 miles. With the usual allowance of
bread and water for dinner, I served an ounce of pork to each person. Monday, May the 25th. Fresh
gales and fair weather. Wind SSE. This afternoon we had many birds
about us, which are never seen far from land, such as boobies and
noddies. About three o'clock the sea
began to run fair, and we shipped but little water, I therefore
determined to know the exact quantity of bread I had left; and on
examining found, according to my present issues, sufficient for 29 days
allowance. In the course of this time I hoped to be at Timor; but, as
that was very uncertain, and perhaps after all we might be obliged to
go to Java, I determined to proportion my issues to six weeks. I was
apprehensive that this would be ill received, and that it would require
my utmost resolution to enforce it; for, small as the quantity was
which I intended to take away, for our future good, yet it might appear
to my people like robbing them of life, and some, who were less patient
than their companions, I expected would very ill brook it. I however
represented it so essentially necessary to guard against delays in our
voyage by contrary winds, or other causes, promising to enlarge upon
the allowance as we got on, that it was readily agreed to. I therefore
fixed, that every person should receive one 25th of a pound of bread
for breakfast, and one 25th of a pound for dinner; so that by omitting
the proportion for supper, I had 43 days allowance. At noon some noddies came so
near to us, that one of them was caught by hand. This bird is about the
size of a small pigeon. I divided it, with its entrails, into 18
portions, and by the method of, Who shall have this ? it was
distributed with the allowance of bread and water for dinner, and eat
up bones and all, with salt water for sauce. I observed the latitude
13° 32' S; longitude made 35° 19' W; and course N 89° W;
distance 108 miles. Tuesday, May the 26th. Fresh
gales at SSE, and fine weather. In the evening we saw
several boobies flying so near to us, that we caught one of them by
hand. This bird is as large as a good duck; like the noddy, it has
received its name from seamen, for suffering itself to be caught on the
masts and yards of ships. They are the most presumptive proofs of being
in the neighbourhood of land of any seafowl we are acquainted with. I
directed the bird to be killed for supper, and the blood to be given to
three of the people who were the most distressed for want of food. the
body, with the entrails, beak, and feet, I divided into 18 shares, and
with an allowance of bread, which I made a merit of granting, we made a
good supper, compared with our usual fare. In the morning we caught
another booby, so that Providence seemed to be relieving our wants in a
very extraordinary manner. Towards noon we passed a great many pieces
of the branches of trees, some of which appeared to have been no long
time in the water. I had a good observation for the latitude, and found
my situation to be in 13° 41' S; my longitude, by account, from
Tofoa, 37° 13' W; course S 85° W, 112 miles. Every person was
now overjoyed at the addition to their dinner, which I distributed as I
had done in the evening; giving the blood to those who were the most in
want of food. To make our bread a little
savoury we frequently dipped it in salt water; but for my own part I
generally broke mine into small pieces, and eat it in my allowance of
water, out of a cocoa-nut shell, with a spoon, economically avoiding to
take too large a piece at a time, so that I was as long at dinner as if
it had been a much more plentiful meal. Wednesday, May the 27th.
Fresh breezes south-easterly, and fine weather. The weather was now serene,
but unhappily we found ourselves unable to bear the sun's heat; many of
us suffering a languor and faintness, which made life indifferent. We
were, however, so fortunate as to catch two boobies to-day; their
stomachs contained several flying-fish and small cuttlefish, all of
which I saved to be divided for dinner. We passed much drift wood,
and saw many birds; I therefore did not hesitate to pronounce that we
were near the reefs of New Holland, and assured everyone I would make
the coast without delay, in the parallel we were in, and range the reef
till I found an opening, through which we might get into smooth water,
and pick up some supplies. From my recollection of captain Cook's
survey of this coast, I considered the direction of it to be NW, and I
was therefore satisfied that, with the wind to the southward of E, I
could always clear any dangers. At noon I observed in
latitude 13° 26' S; course since yesterday N 82° W; distance
109 miles; longitude made 39° 4' W. After writing my account, I
divided the two birds with their entrails, and the contents of their
maws, into 18 portions, and, as the prize was a very valuable one, it
was divided as before, by calling out Who shall have this? so that
to-day, with the allowance of a 25th of a pound of bread at breakfast,
and another at dinner, with the proportion of water, I was happy to see
that every person thought he had feasted. Thursday, May the 28th.
Fresh breezes and fair weather; wind ESE and E. In the evening we saw a
gannet; and the clouds remained so fixed in the west, that I had little
doubt of our being near to New Holland; and every person, after taking
his allowance of water for supper, began to divert himself with
conversing on the probability of what we should find. At one in the morning the
person at the helm heard the sound of breakers, and I no sooner lifted
up my head, than I saw them close under our lee, not more than a
quarter of a mile distant from us. I immediately hauled on a wind to
the NNE, and in ten minutes time we could neither see nor hear them. I have already mentioned my
reason for making New Holland so far to the southward; for I never
doubted of numerous openings in the reef, through which I could have
access to the shore: and, knowing the inclination of the coast to be to
the NW, and the wind mostly to the southward of E, I could with ease
range such a barrier of reefs till I should find a passage, which now
became absolutely necessary, without a moment's loss of time. The idea
of getting into smooth water, and finding refreshments, kept my
people's spirits up: their joy was very great after we had got clear of
the breakers, to which we had been much nearer than I thought was
possible to be before we saw them. In the morning, at
day-light, I bore away again for the reefs, and saw them by nine o'clock.
The sea broke furiously over every part, and I had no sooner got near
to them, than the wind came at E, so that we could only lie along the
line of the breakers, within which we saw the water so smooth, that
every person already anticipated the heart-felt satisfaction he would
receive, as soon as we could get within them. But I now found we were
embayed, for I could not lie clear with my sails, the wind having
backed against us, and the sea set in so heavy towards the reef that
our situation was become dangerous. We could effect but little with the
oars, having scarce strength to pull them; and it was becoming every
minute more and more probable that we should be obliged to attempt
pushing over the reef, in case we could not pull off. Even this I did
not despair of effecting with success, when happily we discovered a
break in the reef, about one mile from us, and at the same time an
island of a moderate height within it, nearly in the same direction,
bearing W ½ N. I entered the passage with a strong stream
running to the westward, and found it about a quarter of a mile broad,
with every appearance of deep water. On the outside, the reef
inclined to the NE for a few miles, and from thence to the NW; on the
south side of the entrance, it inclined to the SSW as far as I could
see it; and I conjecture that a similar passage to this which we now
entered, may be found near the breakers that I first discovered, which
are 23 miles S of this channel. I did not recollect what
latitude providential channel" lies in, but I considered it to be
within a few miles of this, which is situated in 12° 51' S
latitude. Being now happily within the
reefs, and in smooth water, I endeavored to keep near them to try for
fish; but the tide set us to the NW; I therefore bore away in that
direction, and, having promised to land on the first convenient spot we
could find, all our past hardships seemed already to be forgotten. At noon I had a good
observation, by which our latitude was 12° 46 S, whence the
foregoing situations may be considered as determined with some
exactness. The island first seen bore WSW five leagues. This, which I
have called the island Direction, will in fair weather always shew the
channel, from which it bears due W, and ay be seen as soon as the
reefs, from a ship's mast-head: it lies in the altitude of 12° 51'
S. There, however, are marks too small for a ship to hit, unless it can
hereafter be ascertained that passages through the reef are numerous
along the coast, which I am inclined to think they are, and then there
would be little risk if the wind was not directly on the shore. My longitude, made by dead
reckoning, from the island Tofoa to our passage through the reef, is
40° 10' W. Providential channel, I imagine, must lie very nearly
under the same meridian with our passage; by which it appears we had
out-run our reckoning 1°9'. We now returned God thanks
for his gracious protection, and with much content took our miserable
allowance of a 25th of a pound of bread, and a quarter of a pint of
water, for dinner. Friday, May the 29th.
Moderate breezes and fine weather, wind ESE. As we advanced within the reefs, the coast began to shew itself very distinctly, with a variety of high and low land; some parts of which were covered with wood. In our way towards the shore we fell in with a point of a reef, which is connected with that towards the sea, and here I came to a grapnel, and tried to catch fish, but had no success. The island Direction now bore S three or four leagues. Two islands lay about four miles to the W by N, and appeared eligible for a resting-place, if nothing more; but on my approach to the first I found it only a heap of stones, and its size too inconsiderable to shelter the boat. I therefore proceeded to the next, which was close to it and towards the main, where, on the NW side, I found a bay and a fine sandy point to land at. Our distance was about a quarter of a mile from a projecting part of the main, bearing from SW by S, to NNW ¾ W. I now landed to examine if there were any signs of the natives being near us; but though I discovered some old fireplaces, I saw nothing to alarm me for our situation during the night. Every one was anxious to find something to eat, and I soon heard that there were oysters on the rocks, for the tide was out; but it was nearly dark, and only a few could be gathered. I determined therefore to wait till the morning, to know how to proceed, and I consented that one half of us should sleep on shore, and the other in the boat. We would gladly have made a fire, but, as we could not accomplish it, we took o |