At 3 P. M. Of The 21st He Sailed From The Anchorage Of San Blas With The
Wind East-Northeast And On The Following Day Came In Sight Of Isabela
Island, Lying About Five Miles To The West.
On the 23rd he came in sight
of the Maria Islands and saw the frigate and schooner going to the
southeast of the islands, where he lost sight of them.
Contrary winds
and calm weather prevented the San Carlos from making any considerable
progress. On the 26th, Ayala sent his pilot to see if he could obtain
some water to replace that which had been consumed[43]. The pilot could
not make a landing and consequently did not obtain any water. On April
2d, he saw Mazatlan and the packetboat Concepcion. The following day he
came near the Concepcion, and the captain informed him that he had on
board the governor of California[44]. From the Concepcion Ayala obtained
six kegs of water. On the 4th of April a serious accident happened to
the commander. When his predecessor was taken sick, he had a number of
loaded pistols. Ayala ordered them placed where they could not injure
anyone. In doing this, one fell and was discharged, the bullet entering
the commander's foot between the second and third toes, coming out under
the big toe. This accident caused him to keep his bed.
On the 7th of April, Cape San Lucas was seen to the north, distant about
two leagues. On the 8th, Cape San Lucas was seen to the west, about
twelve leagues distant. On account of contrary winds, the progress
northward was very slow. On June 22d, while they were warming some pitch
to calk the launch, it took fire, but was extinguished before great
damage was done. On the same day indications of land were noted and some
whales were seen, which the sailors say is the first sign of land. On
the following day they saw some seals, which, according to the sailors,
was the second sign of land. On the 24th, they saw some ducks, which,
they say, is proof positive of land being near. On the same day land was
sighted at 4 p. m.; the North Farallones of San Francisco were seen to
the north and Point Ano Nuevo to the southeast. At 7 p. m., the South
Farallones were seen at a distance of about two leagues to the
northeast. The variation of the needle was observed and found to be 13deg.
E.
Next day, at 9 a. m., the fog having lifted, land was seen and Point Ano
Nuevo was recognized to the northwest about three leagues distant. At
noon the sun's altitude was taken, and the latitude found to be 36deg. 58'.
At 3 p. m. they took bearings to make Point Pinos, but this point could
not be seen on account of the fog. At 4 p. m. the fog lifted, and at 5
p. m. they saw the point which protects the harbor of Monterey.
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 34 of 46
Words from 17536 to 18039
of 24217