On that day the wind came about to the east: we saw some sea-weeds, and a log of wood about three feet long.

On the 26th, we had a fresh breeze from the north, with the weather gloomy. We saw several parcels of sea-weed, of that kind called Leather-weed, in latitude 35° 5° S. 162 longitude. In the night we had a very hard gale from the north, with heavy showers of rain.

On the 27th, early in the morning, the wind was moderate, but the sea ran very high, and the ship rolled so much that every moveable on board was thrown about; and it was with great difficulty that we saved ourselves from being tossed out of our cots. The night came on while we were in this situation, which proved very dark, and every thing conspired to make it dismal, and aggravate our distress. The next morning, however, was fair; the heavens cloudless; the fun rose peculiarly bright, and we had a sine breeze from the west In the afternoon the wind veered to the north, and we saw many parcels of sea-weed of different sorts. We also saw a seal, and concluded that we were not far from land. Latitude 3° 3° south.

On the 28th, we had afresh gale from the west, which continued till noon, and then chopped about to the S. W. We altered our course to W. N. W. having run to the south as far as 40° latitude, and longitude 166° west; met with some sea-weed ; and saw several black-beaked Albatrosses and Shear-waters.

On the 29th, we had a smart breeze from the south, with clear, though sharp weather; thermometer 54; — saw several parcels of sea-weed, and a land-bird that flew like a plover; with a great number of Pintados, Shear-waters, and large white Albatrosses, with the tips of their wings black. We sounded, but found no bottom, with 120 fathoms of line. The captain apprehended that we were near land, and promised one gallon of rum to the man who should first discover it by day, and two if he discovered it by night; also, that part of the coast of the said land should be named after him.

Voyaging Accounts