Oct 7-9, 1792 Home Providence Log Oct 11, 1792
Revised Aug 27 2021
1 pm: Fresh Breezes and fine Weather but Heat oppressive. Ready for Sea.
Took on board a Pilot, and as the Wind kept us in, filled up our Water and brought two
Buffalos on board.
Ft
Ships draught of Water forward 15.. 4
Aft 16.. 3
By the Stern 11
4 pm:
9 pm: Light Airs
4 am: Hove short & weighed the Kedge and at 5½ hour got under way with the Boats towing. Saluted with 13 Guns which was returned with the same number
6 am: Pulo Karee N22°E 1½ or 2 Miles we had no Ground at 30 fathoms and the same from the Anchoring Place.
8 am: Pulo Karee S84°# 5 Miles, Coupang SE 6 Miles Pulo Samow SbE½E to S55°W 6 Miles NW part of Timor in sight N34°E 6 Leagues Pulo Karee was on with it, at N13°E.
10 am: Hove to and Received my People lent to the Assistant. Supplied the Assistant with fresh Beef, and sent the Pilot away paying him 15 Rix Dollars
12 noon: Moderate and fair Weather. Served Fresh Beef. Pulo Samow S6°E 4 or 5 Leagues to S85°E 3 Leagues. No Ground at 30 & 40 fathoms All the Morning.
A Person offering to Pilot us out to Sea, I agreed with him in hopes of getting some information; I was however disappointed, as there appeared that want of nautical knowledge about him which prevented my relying on what he said. Upon the whole there is some reason to believe there are several good Reef Harbours about Timor. Dailey, where the Portuguese settlement is, he says, is one where the Providence might Anchor conveniently and safe during the East Monsoon, and declared there was more supplies to be got there than at Coupang, and much cheaper. Cloths he said were prefered to Money. The Governor and two others were all the Europeans there, the rest of the People were bastard Portuguese who were under a Military Government. A Ship Annually calls there from Macow in China, and the Governor is generally releived every three Years.
A fine little Breeze in the Morning carried us clear out of the Road without any trouble, and having parted with the Pilot we made Sail, and at Noon were one or two Miles to the Westward of the Meridian of the West part of Pulo Samow.
Our Anchor was scarce to the Bows when we had to Ground at 30 fathoms of line & Lieut. Portlock informed me that he could get no bottom at 94 fathoms toward Pulo Karee.
It appears to me I have got away from this place in time. Two Men were now ill of a Diarrhoea and four with Colds.
Oct 7-9, 1792 Home Providence Log Oct 11, 1792