On The 1st Of August, Captain
Mitchell And Three Other Officers Went A Second Time To Examine To Look
For The New Passage.
But, after the strictest examination, they could
not find that it led into the South Sea, but only into an icy bay, and
at all events was too narrow for their ship.
On the return of Captain
Mitchell, it was resolved to prosecute their way through the straits,
which they did with much difficulty, getting into the South Sea on the
18th of August, but in so weak and sickly a condition as to be utterly
incapable of attempting any enterprize for some time, having been long
on short allowance of only one piece of beef or pork to a mess of six
men. In pursuance, therefore, of his instructions, Captain Clipperton
bore away for the island of Juan Fernandez, the third and last appointed
place of rendezvous with the Speedwell.
The Success accordingly anchored at Juan Fernandez on the 7th September,
and search was made for any testimony of the Speedwell having been
there, but to no purpose. Captain Clipperton resolved, in compliance
with his instructions, to remain here, or cruizing in the neighbourhood,
for a month; and also had an inscription cut on a conspicuous tree
fronting the landing-place, to the following purport: "Captain John - -
W. Magee, 1719." This William Magee was surgeon of the Success, and
well known to Captain Shelvocke and all his company; and Clipperton
omitted his own name in the inscription, because he had been formerly in
the South Sea, and had been long a prisoner among the Spaniards, for
which reason he did not wish to give them notice of his return into this
sea.
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