On the next day, there being strong gales to the westward, I brought to, with the ship’s head to the northward; but in the morning of the 3d, the wind being more moderate, we loosened the reef of the main-sail, set the top-sails, and plied to the westward.

We continued our course till the 19th, when our latitude being 29° and our longitude 159° 29’, we observed the variation to be 8° 32’ E. On the 24th, being in latitude 33° 18’, longitude 162° 51’, we observed a small piece of sea weed, and a piece of wood covered with barnacles: the variation here was 10° 48’ E.

On the 27th, being in latitude 28° 59’, longitude 169° 5’, we saw a seal asleep upon the water, and several bunches of sea weed. The next day we saw more sea weed in bunches, and on the 29th, a bird, which we thought a land bird; it somewhat resembled a snipe, but had a short bill. On the 1st of October, we saw birds innumerable, and another seal asleep upon the water; it is a general opinion that seals never go out of soundings, or far from land, but those that we saw in these seas prove the contrary. Rock-weed is, however, a certain indication that land is not far distant. The next day, it being calm, we hoisted out the boat, to try whether there was a current, but found none. Our latitude was 37° 10’, longitude 172° 54’ W. On the 3d, being in latitude 36° 56’, longitude 173° 27’, we took up more sea-weed, and another piece of wood covered with barnacles. The next day we saw two more seals, and a brown bird, about as big as a raven, with some white feathers under the wing. Mr. Gore told us, that birds of this kind were seen in great numbers about Falkland’s Islands, and our people gave them the name of Port-Egmont hens.

Voyaging Accounts