State Library of NSW
[Page 413]
309. August 1770. to New Guinea
often seen vast quantities of it taken out of the stomachs of whales or Grampus's there taken. in the afternoon the Soundings became most irregular starting sometimes at once from 18 to 7 fathoms at 4 the Land was seen from the Mast head but at Sun set was not seen from the deck during the night we stood off & on far from satisfied with our soundings
29. During the whole night our soundings were as irregular as they had been in the even but never less than 7 & never so shoal for any time in the morn the Land was seen from the Deck which was uncommonly low but coverd very thick with wood at 8 it was not more than two Lgs from us but the water had gradualy since morn to 5 fathm & was at this time as muddy as the River Thames so it was thought not Prudent to go any nearer at present & accordingly we stood along shore seeing fires & here & there large Groves of Cocoa nut trees in the neighbourhood of which we supposd the Indian villages to be situated in the Eve tho we kept the same distance from the
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