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Fateful Voyage

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Revised Sep 8, 2021

Tobin's Providence Logbook Sep 4, 1792

H M Ship Providence from Matavai Bay Otaheite [towards Timor in the East Indies – 1792]

Remarks Tuesday September 4th 1792

 1 pm: Light breezes and fair weather – The Assistant made the Signal and we spoke her – at 2 Mr. Portlock came on board and returned with 5 Seamen lent for her Assistance – At 4 Saw a Sandy Key from the Mast head bearing S½W at ½ past 4 Saw an Island from the Mast head about NW – At 5 were alarmed with the appearance of shoal water on the Lee Bow – Ship missed Stays hove all aback – Imagine it after to be only the Spawn of fish which gave the Sea a dusky color – Saw Porpoises about it – At Sun set the Island SWBW and the Key SbW¼W at ¼ past brought up with the small Bower anchor in 37 fathoms sandy bottom – Veered to the whole cable Service – at 12 sent the Cutter to sound on a white patch on the Larboard Quarter which proved to be a rippling of the Tides [?] – At 4 fresh breezes and fine weather – out whale Boat – at ½ past 5 weighed at 6 Sandy Key from the Deck S¼W 4 Miles – Island from Mast head SWBS – at ½ past 6 Breakers from mast head extending to the Eastern part of the Key 3 Miles – sent the Large cutter to lead – At 7 Bore away Assistant and Boat leading – Sandy Key SbE 3 or 4 Miles – at 8 the Key EBS¼Squall 6 or 7 Miles The Island A before seen SW¼Squall 7 or 8 Leagues – at ½ past 9 Assistant made Signal for seeing Land in the South and at 10 that we might follow without Danger – at 10 Island A S52W about 4 Leagues – Key on with north End of A WSW 7 or 8 Miles – Land from Mast head SbE – at ½ past 10 Assistant spoke us – at 11 on seeing a bank to leeward made the Signal – Sent the whale Boat a head to sound – At Noon Island A from S70°W to S78°W about 5 Miles – Southern part of ye Shoal open to NW of the Islands B C & D from S7°E to S25°E about 6 Leagues distant – That Assistant and Boats leading and making Signals for soundings &c
   Latitude Observed 9°..31½′ South


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