Dec. 13, 1788
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Logbook Remarks GM
Dec. 15, 1788
Revised Jun 8 2021
Fresh Breezes at SE and ESE with Squalls and Rain. Thermometer from 78° to 80¼°.
Cleaned ship and performed Divine Service. Natives as usual and give us sufficient supplies. The Venereal list is now encreased to five.
The Boy who received the hurt on the 10th I had the pleasure to dismiss to day from our charge being perfectly recovered.
In the Afternoon I returned from Oparre where are two Reef Harbours. The Westermost is the most convenient as a ship may sail in and out of it with the common Easterly Wind, but as there is not Room for a ship to be sheltered from the NW I am apprehensive a very heavy Sea sets in when the Wind is in that quarter as well as at Matavai. The Entrance into this Harbour which is called by the Natives Taowne, may be known by a very uncommon & remarkable Mountain called (Wawey) which bears SSE from it, and lies in a very extraordinary manner between the two principal high lands of this Part of the Island. It is about 6 miles from Point Venus.
The Eastermost or Toahroah Harbour is also small, but it is as secure as a reef Harbour can well be. The Inlet is safe but not a half Cables length wide and about 4 miles from Point Venus. The entrance being on the East side and deep water without it, is the only objection to this place. For with the common Trade Wind a Ship could not without much difficulty & trouble get out. This Harbour may be known by keeping within a mile of the shore, after passing Matavai, untill you see the Reefs that form it, and the entrance, the South point having a Morai on it. But the Reef side is to be kept on board and a look out kept from aloft if you cannot see the shoal water from the Deck. I shall however give fuller directions hereafter about this place.
In the morning I had Tynah and all the Royal family except the Children with Moannah, Poeeno and a number of the Natives at Divine Service. They in general preserved much decency and attention during the whole time, but some of the Women at times attempted to stifle a laughing fit at our general responses. However they appeared shocked when I checked them in it. They were only inquisitive after the Service was over, if we had nothing to present the Eatua to eat.
The Plants are improving vastly with Rains they have had and I have but little doubt of but very few more that will require to be replaced.
Wowwo the sister of Tynah is now almost free of the ulcers which almost took away the use of her Hands and Arms, and it proves to be not Venereal as the Doctor suspected. She has given me many proofs of gratitude on this occasion.
Dec. 13, 1788
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Logbook Remarks GM
Dec. 15, 1788