Captain Cook's Journal During His First Voyage Round the World
goods. To this wharfe water is convey'd in pipes and by means of Cocks.
Several Boats may fill water at one and the same time. The Company keeps
several large Boats or Hoys to carry goods, provisions, water, etc., to
and from Shipping, as well Strangers as their own. Fuel is one of the
Scarcest articles they have, and is brought a long way out of the
Country, and Consists of Roots of Trees, Shrubs, etc. Except a few
English Oaks which they have planted, this Country is wholly destitute of
wood, except at too great a distance to be brought to the Cape.* (* Since
Cook's day large plantations have been made in the vicinity of Capetown.)
In the Article Timber, Boards, etc., they are chiefly supply'd from
Batavia.
3 of the winter months, viz., from the middle of May to the middle of
August, the Dutch do not allow any of their Ships to lay in Table Bay,
but oblige them to go into False Bay, where there is a very safe
Harbour,* (* Simon's Bay, now the naval station, where there is a
dockyard.) and every other Conveniency both for their own Shipping and
Strangers, and where every produce of the Country can be had as cheap as
at the Cape Town. The Dutch, I am told, never Deviate from this custom of
sending their ships to False Bay at this Season of the Year,
notwithstanding there had not a Gale of wind hapned for many years that
would have put them in the least Danger in Table Bay.
Table Bay is defended by a Square Fort, situated on the East side of the
Town, close to the Sea beach, together with several other out works and
Batterys along the Shore of the Bay on each side of the Town. They are so
situated as to be cannonaded by Shipping, and are in a manner defenceless
against a superior land force. The Garrison at present consists of 800
regulars, besides Militia of the Country, which comprehend every man able
to bear Arms. They can, by means of Signals, alarm the whole Country in a
very short time, and then every man is immediately to repair to the Cape
Town. The French at Mauritius are supply'd with large Quantitys of
Provisions from the Cape, viz., Salted Beef, Biscuit, Flour, and wine.
While we lay in the Bay 2 Store Ships belonging to the King, of the
Burthen of 50 or 60 Gun Ships, and a Snow, sail'd for that Island Loaded
with Provisions, besides a large (King's) Frigate we left in the Bay
taking in her Cargo. The Provisions contracted for this Year by the
French were Salt Beef, 500,000 pounds; Flour, 400,000 pounds; Biscuit,
400,000 pounds; and Wine, 1,200 Leagers.
CHAPTER 11. CAPE OF GOOD HOPE TO ENGLAND.
[April 1771.]
TUESDAY, 16th. At 2 o'clock in the P.M. saw a large Ship behind the
Island, under French Colours, standing into Table Bay; at 3 weigh'd with
a Light breeze at South-East, and put to Sea; at 4 departed this Life Mr.
Robert Molineux Master, a young man of good parts, but had unfortunately
given himself up to Extravagancy and intemperance, which brought on
disorders that put a Period to his Life. At 6 we had the Table Mountain
and the Penguin Island in one bearing South-South-East, distant from the
latter about 4 or 5 Leagues; had it calm most part of the night. In the
morning a light breeze sprung up Southerly, with which we steer'd
North-West; at noon we were by Observation in Latitude 33 degrees 30
minutes South. The Table Mountain bore South 54 degrees East, distant 14
Leagues. N.B. The Table Mountain lies directly over the Cape Town, from
which last I take my departure; it lies in the Latitude of 33 degrees 56
minutes South, and Longitude 341 degrees 37 minutes West from Greenwich.
Wednesday, 17th. Fresh breezes and fair weather, with a swell from the
South-West. Wind Southerly; course North 50 degrees West; distance 118
miles; latitude 32 degrees 14 minutes South, longitude 344 degrees 8
minutes West.
Thursday, 18th. Gentle breezes and clear weather. Swell as before. Wind
Ditto; course North-West; distance 85 miles; latitude 31 degrees 14
minutes South, longitude 345 degrees 19 minutes West.
Friday, 19th. Little wind and Sometimes calm. Swell from the Southward.
Wind South-East to North-West; course North 50 degrees West; distance 16
miles; latitude 31 degrees 14 minutes South, longitude 345 degrees 33
minutes West.
Saturday, 20th. Gentle breezes and Clear weather. Wind Westerly; latitude
29 degrees 40 minutes South, longitude 346 degrees 10 minutes West.
Sunday, 21st. A moderate trade wind and Pleasant weather. Wind Southerly;
course North 54 degrees West; distance 100 miles; latitude 28 degrees 43
minutes South, longitude 347 degrees 42 minutes West.
Monday, 22nd. A Fresh Trade, and Pleasant weather. Exercised the People
at Small Arms. Observations for Longitude with the Sun and Moon agree
with the Log. Wind South-East; course North 50 degrees West; distance 118
miles; latitude 27 degrees 27 minutes South, longitude 349 degrees 24
minutes West.
Tuesday, 23rd. Gentle breezes, and Clear weather. Found the Variation in
the Evening, by the Amplitude, to be 17 degrees 40 minutes West, and by
Azimuth in the Morning 18 degrees 37 minutes. Employ'd repairing Boats
and Sails. Exercis'd Great Guns and Small Arms. Wind South-East by South
to West-South-West; course North 46 degrees West; distance 98 miles;
latitude 26 degrees 19 minutes South, longitude 350 degrees 42 minutes
West.
Wednesday, 24th. Ditto weather. Found the Variation to be 17 degrees 30
minutes West. Employ'd as yesterday. Wind West, West-North-West; course
North 20 degrees West; distance 78 miles; latitude 25 degrees 6 minutes
South, longitude 351 degrees 16 minutes West.
Thursday, 25th. First part, moderate and Clear; Middle, Squally, with
Rain; Latter, fresh Gales and Cloudy. Employ'd as above. Wind North-West,
South-West; course North 20' West; distance 105 miles; latitude 23
degrees 28 minutes South, longitude 351 degrees 52 minutes West.
Friday, 26th. Fresh Gales, and a large Swell from the Southward. Wind
South-South-West, South-East by South; course North 50 degrees West;
distance 168 miles; latitude 21 degrees 40 minutes South, longitude 354
degrees 12 minutes West.
Saturday, 27th. Fresh Gales and Cloudy. Employ'd repairing Sails. Wind
South-East 1/2 South; course North 55 degrees West; distance 168 miles;
latitude 20 degrees 4 minutes South, longitude 356 degrees 40 minutes
West.
Sunday, 28th. Ditto weather. Variation per Azimuth 14 degrees West. Wind
South-East; course North 56 degrees 30 minutes West; distance 152 miles;
latitude 18 degrees 41 minutes South, longitude 358 degrees 54 minutes
West.
Monday, 29th. Ditto Gales. Variation 13 degrees 53 minutes West. In the
A.M. crossed the line of our first Meridian, viz., that of Greenwich,
having now Circumnavigated the Globe in a West direction. Wind
South-East; course North 53 degrees West; distance 136 miles; latitude 17
degrees 19 minutes South, longitude 0 degrees 50 minutes West.
Tuesday, 30th. Fresh Gales and Pleasant weather. Exercised the people at
Great Guns and Small Arms. Wind South-East; course North 58 degrees West
South, distance 126 miles; latitude 16 degrees 11 minutes South,
longitude 2 degrees 42 minutes West.
[May 1771. At St. Helena.]
Wednesday, May 1st. Fresh Trade and Pleasant weather. At 6 A.M. saw the
Island of St. Helena bearing West, distant 8 or 9 Leagues. At Noon
Anchor'd in the Road, before James's Fort, in 24 fathoms water. Found
riding here His Majesty's Ship Portland and Swallow* (* This was not the
same Swallow that preceded Cook in circumnavigation. She had been broken
up.) Sloop, and 12 Sail of Indiaman. At our first seeing the Fleet in
this Road we took it for granted that it was a War; but in this we were
soon agreeably deceived. The Europa Indiaman Anchor'd here a little
before us; she sail'd from the Cape 2 days after us, and brings an
account the French Ship we saw standing into Table Bay was a French Man
of War, of 64 Guns, bound to India, and that there were 2 more on their
Passage. Wind South-East. At noon at Anchor in St. Helena Road.
Thursday, 2nd. Clear, Pleasant weather. In the P.M. moor'd with the Kedge
Anchor, and in the A.M. received some few Officers' stores from the
Portland. Wind Ditto. At noon at Anchor in St. Helena Road.
Friday, 3rd. Clear, Pleasant weather. Employ'd repairing Sails,
overhauling the Rigging, etc. Wind South-East. At noon at Anchor in St.
Helena Road.
Saturday, 4th. Little wind and pleasant weather. At 6 A.M. the Portland
made the Signal to unmoor, and at Noon to Weigh, at which time the Ships
began to get under Sail. Wind Ditto. At noon at Anchor in St. Helena
Road.
Sunday, 5th. Gentle breezes and Clear weather. At 1 P.M. weigh'd, and
stood out of the Road in company with the Portland and 12 Sail of
Indiamen. At 6 o'clock James Fort, St. Helena, bore East 1/2 South,
distant 3 Leagues. In the A.M. found the Variation to be 13 degrees 10
minutes West. Wind East by South; course North 50 degrees 30 minutes
West; distance 71 miles; latitude 15 degrees 5 minutes South, longitude 6
degrees 46 minutes West.
Monday, 6th. Moderate breezes and Cloudy weather. Sailing in Company with
the Fleet. Wind East-South-East; course North 47 1/2 degrees West;
distance 122 miles; latitude 13 degrees 42 minutes South, longitude 8
degrees 27 minutes West.
Tuesday, 7th. Ditto Weather. In the A.M. found the Variation to be 12
degrees 5 minutes West. Exercised the people at Great Guns and Small
Arms. Wind South-East; course North 46 degrees West; distance 137 miles;
latitude 12 degrees 5 minutes South, longitude 10 degrees 9 minutes West.
Wednesday, 8th. A Steady breeze and Pleasant Weather. All the Fleet in
Company. Wind South-East; course North 46 degrees 45 minutes West;
distance 126 miles; latitude 10 degrees 39 minutes South, longitude 11
degrees 42 minutes West.
Thursday, 9th. Ditto Weather. In the Evening found the Variation to be 11
degrees 42 minutes West. Wind South-East by South; course North-West;
distance 118 miles; latitude 9 degrees 16 minutes, longitude 13 degrees
17 minutes West.
Friday, 10th. At 6 in the A.M. saw the Island of Ascention bearing
North-North-West, distant 7 Leagues. Made the Signal to speak with the
Portland, and soon after Captain Elliott himself came on board, to whom I
deliver'd a Letter for the Admiralty, and a Box containing the Ship's
Common Log Books, and some of the Officers' Journals, etc. I did this
because it seem'd probable that the Portland would get home before us, as
we sail much heavier than any of the Fleet.* (* The Portland and the
India fleet got home three days before the Endeavour.) At Noon the Island
of Ascention bore East by South, distant 4 or 5 Leagues. By our
Observations it lies in the Latitude of 7 degrees 54 minutes South, and
Longitude of 14 degrees 18 minutes West. A North-West by North course by
Compass, or North-West a little Westerly by the Globe from St. Helena,
will bring you directly to this Island. Wind Ditto; course North-West;
distance 120 miles; latitude 7 degrees 51 minutes South, longitude 14
degrees 32 minutes West.
Friday, 11th. A steady Trade wind and pleasant Weather. At 1/2 past 6
p.m. the Island of Ascention bore South-East 3/4 East, distant 11 or 12
Leagues. Sailing in Company with the Fleet. Wind Ditto; course North 42
degrees West, distance 117 miles; latitude 6 degrees 24 minutes South,
longitude 15 degrees 51 minutes West.
Saturday, 12th. First and Middle parts a Steady breeze, and fair the
Latter; light Squalls, with rain. Wind South-East by South to South-East
by East; course North 31 degrees 15 minutes West; distance 123 miles;
latitude 4 degrees 38 minutes South, longitude 16 degrees 54 minutes
West.
Sunday, 13th. Gentle breezes and Clear Weather; hott and Sultry. Sailing
in Company with the fleet. Variation 10 degrees West. Wind South-East by