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Revised Aug 27 2021

Providence Logbook Oct 2, 1792

Remarks Tuesday 2nd October 1792 At Timor

 1 pm: Fresh Breezes and Squally Weather which suddenly terminated with light Northerly Airs and Calms. A Strong Tide setting to the Southward. Found an Eddy under the NE'ly part of Samow, where after making a few Tacks, I anchored in 22 fathoms loose sandy bottom.

[sidenote] Tacking & trying Sounding under the NE part of Pulo Samow.

 5 pm: The SW part of Coupang Road N65°E 2 or 3 Miles. The NE part of Pulo Samow N15°E ¾ Mile. Extremes of Pulo Karee N31°E to N29°E 4 or 6 Miles. Pulo Cambing S51°W to S61°@ 4 Miles. South entrance from S22°W 2½ Miles to S35°W about 10 Miles.

[sidenote] Sent Mr. Guthrie 2nd Lieut. to Coupang

 9 pm: No Ground at 40 fathoms of line ¾ of a Mile from the Shore, untill about the NE part of Samow, where is a small bank and Reef about ½ Mile from the Point.

11 pm: Country Woody but much scorched up. No part Mountainous but the North or NE part of Coupang Bay.

[sidenote] Lieut. Guthrie returned with a Capt. Lytrand Jacobus Bouberg of the Company Snow De Verwagting. He came to Pilot us up to Coupang

 1 am: Shores Rockey in general and w[h]ere Sandy Bays are, they are shut up with coral Rocks.

 2 am: Water may be got by digging on the Samow side in a Bay abreast of us

 4 am: Heard of the Pandora being lost in Endeavor Straights, most of the People saved. Arrived at this place.

 6 am: Dropt a Kedge and have the Bower up and at 9 hour..40′ towed and Sailed with a Tide to the Northward.

 9 am: Passing the NE part of Samow ¼ & ½ Mile distant 22, 24, 26, 29 Coarse Ground

11 am: As we stood to the Eastward got ground, and at ½ past 11 Anchored with the Best Bower in 16½ fathoms. Moored with a half Cable to the SE and whole Cable to the NW. Small Bower in 9 fathoms.
  The Fort Saluted with 15 Guns and I returned the same number. The Verwagting lying near us. Assistant anchor same time.
  My Reckoning gives 16°..10′ West of Island R High Mountain
In the Bounty's Launch I made it 16°..13′ West. True difference of Longitude by Time Keepers is 18°..43′ West. Current equal to 13 Miles per Day West

Remarks

At One O'Clock we were nearly through the Straits when the SE Wind left us. A small Breeze from the NW kept us working with uncertainty, a lee Tide running and no bottom at 40 fathoms untill (4 O'Clock) under the NE point of Samow, where I anchored in 22 fathoms a loose sandy bottom. Under the Shelter of this point which has a small reef lying off it, I felt no effect of the lee Tide running, but on the contrary set to the Northward. It is not an elligible situation when the Strong SE Winds blow, but at this Season of the Year it is the best Anchoring Ground in the Straits, and the Dutch Ships in the West Monsoon sometimes Moor to secure themselves untill they can get to Coupang. this bank extends but a Mile or two about the NE Point, in other places are 20 fathoms within 20 Yards of the Rocks. We lay off a Sandy Bay where Water may be got by digging a Well. Wood is in abundance.

When we stood in under the Point we saw a Snow in Coupang Road, but at Anchor she was shut in. We fired several Guns, but no notice was taken of them, except by some Malay Prows who came no nearer than to see what we were.

As soon as my People were a little refreshed, I sent Lieut. Guthrie to Coupang to acquaint the Governor of my arrival, and that I wanted refreshments, particularly Water, which I requested his assistance in expeditiously supplying me with by shore Craft, and every means in his power. I also desired a Pilot if any person was sufficiently acquainted.

At 10 At Night Lieut. Guthrie returned. He had met with a friendly reception from Mr. Wanjon, who was now Governor, and I was to have every assistance I required. The Captain of the Snow Verwagting came to show us the way into the Road. He was called Lytrand Jacobus Bouberg, and having known me before, when I arrived in the Bounty's Launch, was kindly sollicitous to give us every assistance.

With light favorable Winds in the Morning and the Tide setting to the Northward, in a couple of hours we got into Coupang Road, and the Fort Saluted us with 15 Guns. The same on my landing. The Country was scorched up and the Air exceedingly heated.


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