Sep 10, 1789 Home Resource Sep 12, 1789
Revised May 24 2021
| H | K | F | Courses | Winds | Remarks Friday 11 Sept'r. 1789 | ||||||||||||||||||
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| 1 | NE | Light Breezes and Hazy Wr.
Came to an Anchor in 2 fathoms water off Passerwang
1½ Mile from the
Shore. The High Mountain WSW a smaller One
which is the Northermost high Land W¼S - Rivers
Mouth S.W. 1¾ Mile The Commandants House
SSW¾W, the High Mountain at the back of the
Villiage I Anchored at before S½E and the East pt.
of the Road EbS Could see lon [low] land as far as NWbN I went on Shore —sent off 2 Puncheons and a half of Water | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 7 | SE | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 12 | " | " | " | " | Fresh breezes and thick Hazy Wr. | ||||||||||||||||||
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| 8 | " | " | " | NNE | Light Breezes, Rec'd. a Bullock some Arrack and Cocoanutts | ||||||||||||||||||
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| 10 | " | " | " | NE | A pilot on Board | ||||||||||||||||||
| 11 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12 | " | " | " | NEbN | DoWr. I weighed and Sailed for Sourabya | ||||||||||||||||||
| - | Meridn.Alt. Center | 77..58 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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I had no sooner Weighed than I found my Soundings shoal rapidly and that a bank of about 2 fms. lay full 1½ & 2 Miles from the Shore. I therefore Anchor'd with a black sandy point to the S.W. within which I saw a Swirl and of Course knew it to be the entrance of a River. A few Malay Hutts were on it and among some trees at the back of it appear'd some White Walls which proved to be passerwang. This with what I have already said and the bearings of the Mountains and the Latitude is all the directions necessary to know this place by. The road however for Shiping must be governed by the depth of Water
It was near 2 O'Clock when I got to the Rivers Mouth. The tide was then flowing but it was necessary for all the people to get out and track the Boat near a half Mile. The River however had sufficient depth when we got in, but of all miserable and horrible looking places I think this was the worst I ever saw. The Banks were mud covered but even sparingly with mangrove bushes among these run a few Hogs and as many were laying about dead and the most dreadfull of all smells almost suffocated me. I now had recourse to a Malay to shew me the Town in the midst of vexation for having come here but after traversing a very serpentine course for a quarter of an hour, I found a pleasant and delightfull Country.
I now landed near a small but apparently well constructed Fort and from thence was conducted to the residents House where I was received in a most friendly & polite Manner by Adriaan Van Rye Capitaine Lieutenant et Commandant
Water Arrack a small Bullock with some Coconutts and every thing I was In want of was immediately sent on board by this Gentleman and he also directed a pilot to take me to Sourabya, as no Vessel was allowed to lie in this road any longer than to get on Board what necessaries were absolutely wanted.
During my stay I had the pleasure of seeing the Country in the environs of Passerwang and found it to be well cultivated and a most agreeable situation. As Mr. Van Rye did me the favor to order his Voiture for my convenience and to accompany me I learnt that the principal produce was rice of which large Quantities were exported. The Europeans are but few here, the Javanese are however numerous and the whole form a busy and well regulated Settlement. The Country except far back is Champaign and the Roads are wide and well made connecting the Settlements to both East and West. Posts are also regular so that Letters are speedily delivered throughout all their [Cantons?].
The Houses are neatly built and well calculated for the Country and the Chief of the Javanese lives with considerable pomp and in the midst of Luxury and ease.
Legumes of all kinds are here in the greatest perfection and I eat at Mr. Van Rye's Table as fine Potatoes as ever were produced in Europe. This is an Article I never saw in any perfection in our West India Islands and I have heard it asserted that when planted there they ever acquire a sweet taste in some Degree & scarce ever grow to any size.
Vessels of two or three Hundred Tons are built here but the Road where Ships must lie is 3 or 4 Miles from the Shore and the River is barr'd with only 7 or 9 feet Water at the Springs so that for Shipping this place is inconvenient. The River is from 30 to 50 Yards Wide
Towards Noon I took my leave of the Resident who accompanied me to the Water side with every degree of politeness & attention and at 12 O'Clock I Sailed for Sourabya.
Sep 10, 1789 Home Resource Sep 12, 1789