The Discovery of Tahiti, A Journal of the Second Voyage of H.M.S. Dolphin Round the World, under the Command of Captain Wallis, R.N.

In the Years 1766, 1767, and 1768, Written by her Master, George Robertson

Hugh Carrington, Hugh Carrington

• Publisher: Hakluyt Society
• Year: 2017
• ISBN:
  9781317035640
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Storia
• Subtopic: Storia del XIX secolo

This is a new print-on-demand hardback edition of the volume first published in 1948.

Journal of the Dolphin’s 2^d Voyage by M^r George Robertson Master of her

Section I
The Atlantic Ocean
(24 JUNE 1766–15 JAN. 1767)

The twenty-fourth of June one Thousand seven Hundred & Sixty Six, I was appointed master of His maj^st Ship Dolphin, Capt. Wallis Commander, now lying in Deptford Dock where she is geting a thorough Repair. The Lords of the Admiralty has ordered her to be got ready with the Greatest Expedition, to prevent her losing the proper Season for going Round the world by the Streights of Magellan. Am Informed Capt Wallis is to be appointed Commodore and to hoist a Broad pendant. Its said we are all to have the same Incoragement that the Officers and men hade last Voyage Round the World.¹ It was found Inconvenient to work the Cables on the Lower Deck last Voyage—for which Reason they are now to work on the uper Deck and the cameston on the Quarter Deck. The Chain Pumps is likewise to work on the uper Deck. This will always keep the twixt Decks Dray & Clean which in my oppinion will greatly contribute to the procuring of our Ships company’s health.

July 8th. We halld out of the Dock and Lashd allong side the Sheer Hulk in order to take in our Masts, Ballast & Rigg the Ship.

July 26th. Saild Down the River for Long Reach where we took in our Guns & Guners Stores. While we lay here I was Informed that the Swallow Sloop is to be our Consort & the Prince Fredrick Merch^tnan Comm^d by a Lieut.¹ is to be our Store Ship.

Augt. 1st. Saild from Long Reach.

D°. 3d. Anchored at the Nore where we Enterd into Sea Victualing, and Got all ready for Sea.

D°. 6th. Anchored here the Prince Fredrick Store Ship Comm^d by Lieut. Brine, who saild the 7^th Inst, for Plymouth where she is to receive her Orders. Here I was Informed that there is no Broad pendant to be Hoisted On b^d the Dolphin this Voyage,² and by same authority am toald our Incoragement will Intirely Depend on our Success in Discovering a Place of Concequence in the South Seas. This is but very poor Encoragement to set out on so Dangerous a Voyage, and I have reason to believe few on b^d If any, would willingly go this Voyage If they knowed the uncertain footing that we are going on. For my part I love the Voyage, and as I am now Imbarkt, its too leat to repine—I hope God will grant us Success, and I make no dout of the Lords of the Admiralty granting us a sutable Reward.

My friend likeways Informs me that Capt. Byron discovered several small Islands in the South Sea but found no place of consequence fitt to make a Settlement on, neather could he find any place to anchor where he would be suplayed with Wood and Water. Am tould its Capt. Byron’s posative oppinion that the Southern Continent is not far to the Southward of what He calls King George’s Islands³ which Lies in the Latt^d off 14°.30 S. & about 1 $0° West from London. Had he found a proper suplay of Wood, Water, & oyther Refreshments at the above Islands, he sertainly would have saild some Degrees farther to the Southward, but necessity oblidged him to make for Tinian, a place where He was sure of Refreshment.

While we lay here we rec^d on b^d some astronomical Instruments, carefully put upp in wooden Boxes, to Inable us to make proper Observations. The Capt. Informd me that there will be all Sorts of Books & Instruments necessary for making Observations and Surveying all the Coasts, Bays & Harbours that we may be so fortunate as to meet with, in the New World. I hope the Books & Instruments is all good of their kind and I make no doubt of being able to give a Satisfactory account of all the places that we are so fortunate as to find out in the South Seas, If time and opportunity will permit. We have received two New Invented Compasses, one for taking azemuths & amplitudes and the oy^r a Compass for taking in Boats to tray the currants. As Boath is Invented by the famos Docter Knight I make no doubt of their answering what they are Intended for. We have likeways got a pair of very fine Globes.

Augst. nth. Anchored here His Maj^s Sloop Swallow comm^d by Capt. Cartret.¹ A few hours after we both weighed and made sail for Plymouth, the Wind N.erly a fine moderate Breeze and Clear weather.

Do. 12th. At 8 P.M. anchord in the Downs and Discharged our Pilot, the Swallow in Company. Capt. Cartret waited on Capt. Wallis. At 3 A.M. made the Signal for weighing. At 4 made sail the Swallow in Company the Wind N°.erly a moderate breeze and clear we^hr. The Swallow appears to be a very dull sailor. We parted Company with her off Dunnose.

Do. 16th. We anchored at Plymouth Sound & saluted the Admiral with 13 Guns who returned 11 Guns. Moord a Cable Each Way, Mount Ballon N.E. ½ N., withey hedge S.E.B.S. & Drakes Island N.W. ½ N., 7 fa^ms water, found Riding here His Maj^s Ship Burford. A few hours after anchored here the Prince Fredrick Store Ship. What has Detaind her I know not, but am afraid both she and the Swallow are Both dull Sailors. Anchored here the Swallow Sloop.

Do. 19th. Rec^d. On bd. a Serjeant and twelve Marins. This Day compleeted all our Stores and made all clear for Sea. This day Irec^d advice from my Old Friend that our Voyage is likely to be stopt If we do not sail soon, but am hopefull that will not hapen as we are now gone so farr.

20th. Rec^d. our Sailing Orders. Unmoord and hove Short on the Best Bower.

21 st. The Cap^t sent Sailing Orders to the Swallow and Store Ship. At 5 a.m. made the Signall to weigh. At 6 made Sail the Swallow and Store Ship in company the Wind at N.N.E. a mod. fine Breeze. We are now victualed for twelve Months with the best sorts of Provisions that ever went to Sea. The Boatswain, Guner & Carpenters Stores are all Good of their kind, and Baring Accidents there is great plenty for two years. Our Ground Tackeling is Extreemly Good. We have two Bowers, a Sheet & Spear Anchor, from twenty seven to thirty hun^d weight each, three fine New Cables on the Best Bower, two on the Small & two Sheet cables, and a coasting anchor of Seventeen hun^d. with a New Cable, besides a Streem and three Cadge Anchors with Cables and hawsers proportionable. The Capt Ordred the Ships Company to be put to three Watches.¹ The I^st Lieut Mr Clark² Takes the first Watch. Mr Furneux² the Secn^d Lieut, the 2^nd Watch, and I take the third. Our complement of Men is One hun^d & fifty and no Boys. The Most of our Men is healthy & Young a few Excepted who is troubled with a Disorder too common amongst unthinking Seamen, but the Doctor who appears to be a Gentleman of Great Experience suposes they will soon Recover.³ But I am of oppinion the Voyage we are now going is not the Best for Recruting a Broaken Constitution. However Experience will show this at our Return to Old England.

22nd. Got an Amplitude and found the Variation 21°:00 westerly. This day we took our Departure from the Lizard, the Wind at S.E. a Moderate Gale & fine clear weather, the Swallow and Store Ships In Company, they both appear to be very dull Sailors, but that may be owing to their being out of trim as both Ships is very deep. The Dolphin is very Deep but appears to sail fast.¹

28th. This Day I took an ampl^d by Doctor Knights New Invented Azemuth Compass and found the Variation 21°:45 w^terly. This Compass² appears to be well constructed and I dare say will answer well in Smooth Water or on Land, but am afraid the card is too heavy Loaded, which in my oppinion will make it traverse too quick in a Sea, when the Ship Roals or pitches much. Brought too and spoke a French Ship from Guardaloup, bound to Burdoeux.

Sept. 1st. At ½ past 7 P.M. saw the land from S.S.E. to S.B.W. with Several Lights on the high Land. By my acc^t we are now abreast of Cape Finaster. Made the Signal to alter the Course which was repeated by the Swallow and Store Ship.

Do. 2d. Spock a French Ship and a Snow bound to the Cannearys. They Both are Deep and appears to be well Mand. There Sails and Rigging appears to be all New, which makes me Immagin they are bound to a more distant Country as well as we.

Do. 4th. Served the Ships Company Brandy Grogg all our Beer being Expended. Read the Articles of War to the Ship’s Company.

6th. Began to serve portable soop to be Boild amongst the Ships Companys Peace & Bargow.³ Spock a French Scooner from Martinico and Bent the Cables.

1768. Sept. jth. Lay too under the Topsails, as did the Swallow & Prince Fredrick Store Ship. At 7 saw the Island of Porto Sancto bearing W. about 12 Leag^s. At Noon Porto Sancto N.B.W. ½ W. about 4 Leagues, the E. end of Madera W. ½ S. 10 Leag^s & the E^t most of the Deserters S.W. ½ W. about 12 Leag^s. Latt. Obs. 3 2° 15 North.

Do. 8th. At 4 P.M. the S.E. end of Madera W. ½ N. 2 Leag^s. Here I went to the Mast head to Conduct the Ship Inn betwixt the S.E. end of Madera & the Deserters, that being the best plan to Discover Dangers of any sort. We steerd in W.B.S. & W. ½ S. and kept within two Mile of Madera and I saw no kind of Danger, in this Channel. At 7 P.M. Anchored in Founchall Road. Veerd away & Moord a Cable Each Way the Best Bower to the W^tward & the Small to the E^lward, the Ship in 24 fatham water Soft Good Ground, Brazen Head E.S.E., the Winost Land in Sight W. ½ N., the Loe Rock N.W.B.W. ½ W. and the Governors House N. ½ W., distance off Shoar One Mile. At 11 P.M. anchored here the Swallow & Store Ship. At 6 A.M. Saluted the Govemer with 13 Guns who returned the Same Number. Employed on b^d Seting up all our Rigging.

While we lay here Both Ships Companys was Served fresh Beef and Greens every Day.

Do. 11th. Compleeted our water to 73 Tuns.

Do. 12th. Rec^d On b^d four Pipes & Ten Punchions of wine for the use of the Ships Company and a great quantity of Onions. At 3 A.M. made the Signal to Unmoor. At ½ past 5 weighed and made Sail.

Here I ought to give a Description of this Place. But it is already so well known to the English Nation that its not possible for me to make any Improvement, as I was only a few Hours ashoar and that upon the Ships duty. Only this far I shall venture to say what I know to be truth. There wine is excellent and so is there fruit of various kinds. There Beef and Greens is very Good and there Water none Better, and all the Natives as well as foreigners Believes it to be one of the healthyest places in the World.

N.B. where we Anchored I sounded about two or three Cable lengths round the Ship and found it all fine Soft Black Sandy Ground, and the Natives say its the best place in all the Road, But our Ships of War Generally lies farther out in 35: 38 & 40 fatham Water. Founchal or Madera Road Lies In Latt. 32°:40′ N° & Long^d 17°:10′ West.

Do. 13th. Light airs and fine clear weather. Served twelve Pound of Onion to Each man on b^d. found the Variation 15°:50 W^terly when Founchal bore N.N.E. ½ E. about 8 Leag^s dist.

Do. 15 th. Saw the Island of Palma. In Sailing allong this Island with the Wind at E^t going 7 and 8 Mile p^r Hour was Becalmd in two Minutes time, altho’ 4 Leag. Dist from the Shoar for which Reason I think it best to keep about 6 or 7 Leag. off in Sailing to the S°ward Especially if the Wind be about East. This Island lies nearest S° & N. and about 6 Leag^s long. The Middle of it Lies in Latt^d 28°:41′ N. & Long. 17°:55′ W. from London. We Saild past this Island at too Great a Distance to give any Description of it. The Swallow and Store Ships both in Company and both dull Sailors. We still serve Portable Soup amongst the Pease and Bargow.

20th. In Latt^d ı8°:00′ N° & Long^d 21°:47′ W. from London tryed the Curr^t and found it set S.W.B.W. 5 fatham p^r hour. Caught several very fine Bonneta. Saw a African Pidgion and Severall Tropick Birds.

21 st. At Noon the Middle of the Island of Sal South 6 Leag^s. We saild past it at too great a Distance to give any Description of it, But the Latt. which is ı6°:55′ N° & the Long^d. 21°:59 West from London.

22nd. At Noon the Extreems of Bonavista from S° toW.S.W., distance off Shoar 7 Miles. The Middle of this Island lies in Latt^d. ı6°:ıo’ N° & Long^d 22°:00′ W. from London. This day we lost sight of the Swallow Sloop, and we supose bore away to the W’ward of Bonavista. There appears to be a Dangerous Shoald on the East side of this Island. I shall mention the particulars of it allong w^t the plan of the S° end of the Island.

1766. Sept.28th. Light Airs and fine pleasant weather. Weighed and Made Sail the Swallow and Store Ship in Company. At 4 P.M. Unbent the Cables, Porto Praja N. ½ W. two Leag^s distance. At 6 Porto Praja N. 10 Miles and the Burning Mountain on the Island of Fuego W.N.W. 12 Leag^s. Hoisted in all our Boats, and Served all the Ship’s Company Hooks and Lines, to Inable them to catch fish. At same time the Capt. gave orders that no man should keep there fish above twentyfour hours but Dress and Eate them soon after they caught them as it has been found by Experience that Drayd fish has hurt there peoples healths.

29th. Killd a Bullock & Suplyd the Swallow with her proportion of the Beef. We still find the Swallow and Store Ship Sail as bad as Ever. Am afraid we shall have a long Passage to the Streights of Magellan, If they do not fall upon some method of triming them to go Better.

October 1st. Killd another Bullock and Suplyed the Swallow and Store ship with there proportion. This Day we lost the true Trade Wind, and found nothing but Light Airs and Variable Winds...