Page:Captain Cook's Journal during His First Voyage Round the World.djvu/463

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April 1771.]
At Anchor. Table Bay.
381

Anchor under Penguin Island in distress. Put on shore some Sick People.

Wednesday, 3rd.—Fine, pleasant weather. Some people on shore on Liberty to refresh; the rest Employ'd repairing Sails and overhauling the Rigging.

Thursday, 4th.—Ditto Weather. Employ'd Painting the Ship and paying her sides.

Friday, 5th.—Var'ble light winds. Sail'd for Holland 3 Dutch Ships. Employ'd as above, and getting on board Provisions, etc.

Saturday, 6th.—Gentle breezes, with some rain in the Night.

Sunday, 7th.—Gentle breezes, and fine, pleasant weather; a Signal for some Ships being in the offing.

Monday, 8th.—Gentle Breezes from the Westward. In the Night Anchor'd here the Europa, an English East Indiaman from Bengal, and in the Morning she saluted us with 11 Guns, which Complement we return'd.

Tuesday, 9th.—Little wind at S.W., with Foggy, hazey weather. Employ'd making ready for Sea.

Wednesday, 10th.—Gentle breezes at S.S.E. and fair weather. Took on board 11 of our people from Sick Quarters.

Thursday, 11th.—Ditto weather. Employ'd getting on board various Articles of Provisions from the Shore.

Friday, 12th.—Wind at S.W., fair weather. Set up the Topmast rigging, and bent the Sails.

Saturday, 13th.—Fresh breezes at S.W., and Cloudy, hazey weather. In the night Anchor'd here a Dutch Ship from Holland; she sail'd about 3 months ago in company with 2 more. The news brought by this Ship is that a War is dayley expected between England and Spain; Signals out for 4 or 5 Sail more being in the Offing, one of which is said to be a ship from England; took leave of the Gouvernour, intending to Sail to-morrow.

Sunday, 14th.—Wind Westerly, gentle breezes. In the P.M. got all the Sick on board, many of whom are yet in a very bad state of health; 3 died here, but this loss was made up by the opportunity we had of compleating our full complement. In the morning unmoor'd and got ready for Sailing.

Monday, 15th.—None of the Ships in the Offing are yet arrived. Desirous as we must be of hearing news from England, I determin'd not to wait the arrival of these Ships, but took the advantage of a breeze of wind from the W.S.W.; weigh'd and stood out of the Bay, saluted with 13 Guns, which Complement was return'd both by the Castle and Dutch Commodore. The Europa Saluted us as we passed her, which we return'd. This Ship was to have sail'd with or before us, but not liking the opportunity she lay fast. At 5 in the Evening anchor'd under Penguin or Robin Island in 10 fathoms