Dec 23, 1791 Home Tobin's Log Dec 24, 1791
Revised Sep 8, 2021
[The following is the first page in the second book of Mr. Tobin's log, followed by a new page for December 23, 1791. The last word on the first page is indecipherable and the thought is left unfinished.]
George Tobin
Log of Her Majestys Ship Providence William Bligh Esquire commander in company with H. Majestys armed Tender Assistant, Lieutenant Nathaniel Portlock commander – From the Cape of Good Hope round Van Diemans Land to Otaheite in the South Sea – and of her return again [behosen?] New Holland and New Guinea to England, by the Cape of Good Hope and West Indies — Kept by George Tobin 3d Lieutenant.
Sailed from the Cape of Good Hope December 23d 1791 and [?]
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1 pm: Moderate and Hazy weather
2 pm: Arrived here from Spithead H M Sloop Swan Captain John Elphinstone bound to Fort St. George in the East Indies with despatches – at ½ past 2 Weighed and came to Sail under double Reefed Topsails – Saluted the Fort with 15 Guns which was returned with an equal number – at ½ past 4 passed between Robin Island and the Eastern Shore – Stowed the Anchors – at 6 the Lions Head in one with the NW End of the Table Land, bore S9°E – Westermost Land S25°W – at ½ past 7 the Northermost Land bore NbE and the Westermost SbW¼W – Robin Island SbE¾E distant 3 Leagues at 8 the SW Land SbW and Table Hill SbE – at 10 Squally in 3d Reefs Fore and 2d Mizen Top Sail
12 mid: AM – Fresh Gales with heavy Squalls and a [short?] head Sea – Ship pitching heavy
2 am: In 3d Reefs Main and 4th Fore Topsails
3 am: A heavy dew falling
5 am: Table Hill bore ESE¼W about 12 Leagues Distant The Westermost Land SE
7 am: Saw a Sail in the NW standing to the Eastward
8 am: More moderate out 3d Reef Main and 4th of the Fore Topsail
10 am: Cleaned below, out third Reef of the Fore Top Sail
12 noon: Fresh Breezes and Hazy, the Assistant in Company
Latitude Observed 34°..04′ South
Dec 23, 1791 Home Tobin's Log Dec 24, 1791