Aug 5, 1792 Home Providence Log Aug 7, 1792
Revised Aug 26 2021
1 pm: Fine Weather all Sails Set. At 1 O'Clock saw extensive breakers in the NWbN. at 3hour..40′ Breakers in the SEbS and several Islands to the Southward.
3 pm: The Island A bore SWbW & Island B NW about 3 or 4 Leagues
5 pm: At 5 Breakers NWbW
At ¾ past 5 got close in under Island A & kept on & off it all Night from 2 to
4 Miles from the Shore. The West point of A bearing from SSE to SbW.
No Ground with 50 and 80 fathoms of line
10 pm: A Cannoe came off with 2 Men in her, and brought a few Cocoa Nutts
11 pm: Got some tolerable Observations of Acquila
4 am: At Sun rise Bore away Island A East 3 Miles to S54°E 3 Miles Island B NbW¼W Island C N38°W Island G S86°W between which I Steered. Several Islands in sight to the Southward. F SW¾S about 6 Miles. A Cannoe with 4 Men can on board.
8 am: Island G S72°W 3 Leagues C NWbN A SEbE¾E, 6
or 8 Miles
At 9 hour saw an Island K to the Eastward of G N19°W, it appeared like two B
N22°E at 10¾ B N66°E F S6°W.
10 am: Saw a Sailing Cannoe like those of the Friendly Islands.
12 noon: The Island A S69°E 7 Leagues F S53°E G S42°E
K N39°E C N5°W to N11°E. Land as seen from the Mast head NWbN &
WbS called M & L
Assistant in Company. Plants in fine Order.
The Breakers which we saw at one O'Clock and rendered a passage to the Northward of Island B doubtfull, made me steer to the SW. Island B is a low Island and forms with a number of hillocks, the Eastermost is the highest and very remarkable by being detatched, altho connected by a Reef. Island A is a fair lofty Island and diversified with a moderate uneven Surface.
At 5 O'Clock I found a dangerous range of Breakers midway between the Islands A & B where I intended to pass. I therefore hauled in for A and found its North Shore bold too without any Anchorage, and its West side apparently shut up by a Reef which extended to other Islands F, G, & H, where Shoals were so numerous standing on in the Night became highly dangerous; for that reason I prefered my present situation, altho not the pleasantest I could have wished for. I hailed Lieut. Portlock and told him to keep in with the island all Night with the West end of the Island bearing from the South to SSE, and we preserved our station very fortunately without trouble.
A Cannoe came off to us with two Men in her, who bartered without reserve a few Coco Nutts for Toeys & Nails. I paid them well, and as I expected, were off in the Morning with other two Men, and sold as many more Nutts, some Spears & Clubs. Two of the Men came on board and looked about them with some surprise. One of them had his hair plaited about 4 Inches long in his Neck into a number of Tails loaded with black grease, the others wore it short and Lime burnt. Some of them had lost both the little fingers as far as the second joint, and the others only of one hand. They had very few marks of tattowing. One of their Ears was remarkably long, and had a hole in it that would have taken a large Knife for an ornament. The others were bored in the common way. Their beards were rough and no way trimmed, and their persons dirty. We could not understand them except in a few Words which were of the Friendly Island Language. I happened to mention Tongataboo, when they got hold of it, and I saw they were perfectly acquainted with that Land. The Cannoe had the common Outrigger, but it was on the Starboard side. It differed also in its form to any I have seen. It was open, about 2 feet wide in the middle, Sharp at both ends with a prow that curved a little. Their Paddles were like the Friendly Island. As I could not delay any time, I made Sail and they quitted us well satisfied with what they had got. The Spears were common for striking Fish, and the Clubs were identically the same as the Friendly Island. One of the Men wore a pretty Pearl Oyster Shell at his breast.
I have no very favorable opinion of the Country. Around the shore however were a great many Coco Nutt Trees. On the Hills the Trees marked very Strong Winds from the East and SE. There can be no doubt of the Natives being disirous as the Friendly Islanders, of intercourse with us. It was remarkable their coming off in the Night.
The Sea appeared clear to the WNW but we soon began to discover more Islands, and at Noon we had them on each side of us. A Sailing Cannoe followed us for some time, but at last seeing I would not wait for them, returned. The Sail was like the Friendly Island Sails, and there was a small Shed on the Cannoe and about 20 Men.
The Island C appeared the most considerable of any we have yet seen. It may be about 4 Leagues in Circuit, is high and diversified with Hill & Vale, sufficiently clothed with Wood. A smaller Island lies between it and B.
In the Bountys Launch I passed to the Southward of the Island A I then fixed its latitude to be 18°..27′S, whereas I now find it to be 18°..39′S. My charts will give a more exact Idea of the lands. Its Longitude is 181°..32′ East.
| The few Words I was able to understand were | ||
| Hee,oh | yes | Friendly Island |
| Mattow | Affraid | Ditto |
| Fuckatow | To Trade or Barter | Ditto |
Aug 5, 1792 Home Providence Log Aug 7, 1792