Letter received by Banks from Samuel Enderby, 21 July 1809 (Series 23.21) - No. 0003

[Page 3]

Tons, Jas. Lindsay, Master and the Other [words inserted are indecipherable] Thos. Hopper, Master: we were fearful of sending out a single Ship to explore the South Ocean to the Southd of 50 South. These Vessels were fitted at a very considerable expense, upwards of £12000, and we directed them to attempt the ascertaining the situation of Cape Circumcision, of the existence of which I had no doubt from reading Bouvet's Voyage. -- The Vessels sail'd in May 1808 and it appears by a Letter we have this Week receiv'd from James Lindsay of the Swan, dated from Bounty Islands, off New Zealand, in Jany last, that the other Vessel parted Company with him intentionally on the 26th Septr 1808 and that on the 7th Octor​: he discovered the Island of Cape Circumcision, the extract of his (Lindsays) Letter is as follows

"I am happy to inform you that on the 7th Octor​: 1808 I discoverd the Island of Cape Circumcision, but could not get close for the Ice within 4 or 5 Miles off the Shore: I did every thing in my power to land and every one on board the Swan did the same for if there had not been the greatest attention on board we should have sufferd in approaching the Land: the first Ice we went in was like Cream on Milk, and the next like Pebble Stones and the next the size of the Swans Quarter Deck and main Deck. My reason for leaving this Island was, that it was surrounded with firm Fields of Ice and much broken Ice and heavy Frosts and not the least likelyhood of landing and wearing dangerous. My Ideas are that we were too soon in the Season: I saw abundance of Penguins, and a few White Birds like Tropic Birds: the Penguins