Apr. 29, 1789  Home  Logbook Remarks GM  May. 1, 1789

Bounty Logbook Remarks, Apr. 30, 1789

Rem's in the Bountys Launch Thursday 30th April 1789 at Tofoa

Fair Weather but the Wind blew so violently from the ESE that I could not venture to Sea. Our detention therefore made it absolutely necessary to see what we could do more for our support, for I determined if possible to keep my first stock entire. I therefore weighed and rowed along shore to the Southward to see what was to be got, and at last discovered some Cocoanutt Trees but they were on the Tops of high precipices and the Surf made it dangerous landing, both One and the other we however got the better of. Some with much difficulty and Risk climbed the Clifts and got about 20 Cocoa nutts and the others slung them to Ropes in the surf by which we hauled them into the Boat. This was all could be done here, and as I found no place so elligble as the one we left to spend the night at, I returned to the Cove, and having served a Cocoa nutt to each person we went to rest again in the Boat.

At dawn of day I attempted to get to Sea, but the Wind and weather proved so bad that I was glad to get back to my former station, where after issuing a morsel of Bread and a Spoonfull of Rum to each person, we landed and I went off with Mr. Nelson, Mr. Samuel and some others into the Country, having hauled ourselves up to precipice by long vines which were fixed there by the Natives for that purpose, this being the only way into the Cove.

We found a few deserted Hutts and a small Plantain walk but little taken care of from which we could only collect three Small bunches of Plantains. After passing this place we fell in with a deep Gulley that led towards the mountains near the Vulcano, and as I conceived that in the Rainy season very great torrents of water must pass through it, we hoped to find sufficient for our use remaining in some holes of the Rocks. After searching some time the whole that could be got were only nine Gallons in the course of the Day. We were advanced within two miles of the foot of the highest land in the Island on which is a Vulcano that is almost constantly burning. The Country near it was all covered with lava and had a horrible appearance, and as we had not been fortunate in our discoveries and saw but little to alleviate our distress, we filled our Cocoanutt shells with what water we could find and returned exceedingly fatigued and faint.

When I came to where we were to descend into the Cove I found the Precipice which I had got up with little trouble to give me a difficult task to get down, for I was seized with such a dizziness in my head that I thought it scarce possible to effect it, however by the assistance of Mr. Nelson and others they at last got me down in a weak condition. Being all returned by Noon I gave about an ounce of Pork and two Plantains to each person with about a half Glass of Wine, and I observed again the Latitude of this place to be 19°41′ South. The People who remained by the Boat I directed to look out for Fish or what they could pick up about the Rocks, but nothing eatable could be found, so that upon the whole we considered ourselves upon as miserable a Spot of land as could well be found.

I could not say positively from what former knowledge I had of this Island whether it was inhabited or not, but I knew it was not considered equal to the other of the Friendly Islands, and I was not certain but that the Natives only resorted to it at particular times: I was therefore very anxious to discover this Point, for in case there were only a few here and those could give us but very moderate Supplies I thought of making some improvement on my Boat on the Spot, rather than risk going among multitudes where perhaps I might lose every thing. A party therefore who found themselves sufficiently strong I determined should go another Route as soon as the Sun became lower and they chearfully undertook it. At the head of the Cove was a Cave about 150 yards from the water side and across the Stoney Beach it was about 100 yards, with only the one way into the Cove that I have described. The situation was thus far good with respect to our not being Surprized, and I determined to remain on shore all the night with a part of my people that the others might have more room to rest in the Boat with the Master, who I gave directions to lay at a Grapnel and be watchfull in case we should be attacked. Thus far my determinations to noon when each of us endeavored to get a Couple of Hours sleep.

Apr. 29, 1789  Home  Logbook Remarks GM  May. 1, 1789