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Bounty Logbook May 5, 1789

Rem^s. in the Bountys Launch. Tuesday 5^th May 1789 at Sea

Towards the Evening the Gale moderated and became a strong breeze. The Wind SE.

A little after Noon other Islands appeared and at 10 min^s past 3 oClock could count eight, the Northermost being the largest. The first Island seen bore south 4 leagues close to which lies a high Rock. The next Island bore S½W 5 leagues. The next bore SSW 4 leag^s. The next SSW 5 leag^s. The next WSW 5 leag^s. The next A NWBW½W 6 leag^s., and the northermost and largest Island NW½N about 7 leagues which with the Rocky Islet close to the south or Island first seen make 8 in number. I kept my course to the NWBW determined to pass between the large Island and the next to the southward. The large Isl^d. and the one first-seen came in a Line at NNW and SSE in which direction they are 10 leagues apart.

At 6 oClock saw three other Islands to the WBN of the large Island. The latter then bore NNE about 3 leagues and one to the Southward. Isl^d. A bearing SSW about 2 leagues, and the NWestermost Island NW½W 7 leagues. Off the NE part of the large Island lie 2 small Keys.

I now fixed on Steering WNW for the night and stood on under a Reefed Foresail. Served a few broken peices of Breadfruit for Supper and performed prayers. The night turned out fair and Smooth water and having had tolerable Rest, our Sirits and Strength by the morning seemed vastly better and we very contentedly breakfasted on a few peices of yams that were found in the Boat. After breakfast we prepared a Chest for our Bread and got it secured by noon, but unhappily a great deal was damaged and Rotten. This nevertheless we were obliged to keep for use.

I have hitherto been only able to keep an imperfect account of our Run, but have now got ourselves a little better equipped and a line marked, & having practiced counting seconds, every one can do it with some exactness.

The Land I have passed is very likely to be a part of those Islands called Fidgee. They lie between the latituide of 19°..05′ S^o. & 18°..19′ S^o and between the longitude of 182°..02′ and 181°..33′E^t. The largest may be about 6 leagues in Circuit but it is impossible for me to be very exact. To show where they are to be found again is doing a great deal in my present situation. The sketch I have made of them will give a better Idea of their situation and Extent. I beleive all the larger Isles are inhabited as they appeared very fertile.

At Noon I observed the latitude to be 18°..10′ S^o. and considered my Course from yesterday to be NWBW½W dis^t 94 miles Long^d in 180°..51′E^t.

For dinner I served some of the Rotten Bread and a Gill of water. Our wants are now beginning to have a dreadfull aspect which nothing but a firm and determined resolution can fight against, a situation peculiarly miserable on a Commander.

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