0' S., longitude 135 deg. 32' W., and about 200 leagues from our track
to Otaheite, in which space it was not probable, all circumstances
considered, there is any extensive land, and it being still less probable
any lay to the west, from the great mountainous billows we had had, and
still continued to have, from that quarter, I therefore steered N.E., with
a fresh gale at W.S.W.
At eight o'clock in the morning, on the 7th, being in the latitude of 50 deg.
49' S., we observed several distances of the sun and moon, which gave the
longitude as follows, viz.
By Mr. Wales, 133 deg. 24' 0" West.
Gilbert, 133 10 0
Clarke, 133 0 0
Smith, 133 37 25
Myself, 133 37 0
- - - - - - -
Mean, 133 21 43
By the Watch, 133 44 0 west.
My reckoning, 133 39 0
- - - - - - -
Variation of the compass, 6 2 0 East.
thermometer, 50 0 0
The next morning we observed again, and the results were agreeable to the
preceding observations, allowing for the ship's run. I must here take
notice, that our longitude can never be erroneous, while we have so good a
guide as Mr Kendall's watch. This day, at noon, we steered E.N.E. 1/2 E.,
being then in the latitude of 49 deg. 7' S., longitude 131 deg. 2' W.
On the 9th, in latitude 48 deg.
