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Fateful Voyage

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Revised Aug 27 2021

Providence Logbook Sep 15, 1792

Remarks Saturday 15th September 1792 Coast of New Guinea

 1 pm: Fresh Gales and thick hazy Weather. Employed refitting Ground Tackling.

 4 pm: The Tide setting to Windward hove in to a half Cable. Found about 20 fathoms much rubbed. Got the lower Yards up, and got under way and Shifted our birth more to the Northward. Anchored at ½ past 6 in 6½ fathoms (soft ground) with the Best Bower. The Brothers S64°E to S55E Island Q N3°E distant from the Brothers 6 or 7 Miles. Veered a whole Cable.

12 mid: Fresh Gales and Cloudy Weather

 3 am: Hove in to a half Cable

 4 am: Sent Orders to Lieut. Portlock to get under way and explore to the Southward. At 6 he got his Anchor and was under Sail with his usual alacrity and attention to his Duty.

 8 am: Ditto and extremely hazy, a Shower of Rain. Struck the lower yards and the Ship rode much easier. Got down Studding Sails, Booms and all top Hamper. Rounded the Small 13 [?] Cable at 50 fathoms.

11 am: At ½ past 11 The Assistant brought up about 3 Miles to leeward of us bearing West.

12 noon: Fresh Gales and extremely Hazy. Like a Fog.
  The Wind has been too strong to say any thing exact about the shifting of the Tides.

Remarks End

Nothing but Hail and Snow was wanting to make this a hard Gale of Wind. We lay pitching and working in a very distressing way without any means to help ourselves. We observe the Weather Tides to set very strong, and therefore we always heave in when the Ship thwarts to the Wind. In doing it this afternoon to my great concern I found the New Cable had laid over a bank which had rubbed it a great deal about 10 or 20 fathoms from the half Cable Service. I had no remedy but to shift our Birth, and therefore got under way and came to an Anchor again further to the Northward in a better situation.

In the few Boards we made, we found the Ground full of Holes, the soundings running 5, 8, 6, 5, 7, 5½ and 6 fathoms. Where I anchored however was more evan and the Assistant was likewise tolerably well situated.

It continued to blow strong all Night, moderating a little towards the Morning. I therefore sent orders for Lieut. Portlock to get under way and explore the Sea to the Southward for it now blew too hard for the Boats.

At 6 with his usual alacrity he was under Sail, and at 11 O'Clock we saw him return and Anchor about three Miles to the West of us, for the Tide was against him. By Signal he reported to me all was well.

Continued in next Volumn Wm Bligh


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