The variation of the compass off the west coast of Java is about 3° W. and so it continued without any sensible variation, in the common track of ships to the longitude of 288° W. latitude 22 S. after which it increased apace, so that in longitude 295°, latitude 23°, the variation was 10° 20’ W.: in seven degrees more of longitude, and one of latitude, it increased two degrees; in the same space, farther to the west, it increased five degrees: in latitude 28°, longitude 314°, it was 24° 20’, in latitude 29° longitude 317°, it was 26° 10’, and was then stationary for the space of about ten degrees farther to the west; but in latitude 34°, longitude 333°, we observed it twice to be 28° ¼#188; W. and this was its greatest variation, for in latitude 35° ½, longitude 337°, it was 24°, and continued gradually to decrease; so that off Cape Anguillas it was 22° 30’, and in Table Bay 20° 30’ W.

Voyaging Accounts