Letter received by Banks from WilliamBligh, 13 October 1789 (Series 46.27 - No. 0018

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14)

at Noon in Latitude 13º:29' S​o 169º:31'  E​t​ Steered to WSW. --

On the 15th discovered an Island Latitude at Noon 13º:4'  So Longd. 167º:35' Et​. Very fresh Gale & high Sea with Rain, constantly Wet, and constantly Bailing. -- distress'd for Want of Light to see to Steer by the Wr. being Stormy with Thunder, Lightning, Rain and a high Sea, keeping the Boat before it to the 21st, when we had most dreadfull Weather and the Rain fell so heavy that we could scarce keep the Boat from filling. -- 

To the 24th the Weather and Sea continued very bad, and we now dreaded the Nights for we were all benumbed with Cold, and what added to our distress in the weak Situation we were in, One of us in turns was obliged to be constantly bailing the Boat in all this dreadfull Weather, being continually Wet and never having a Dry Rag about us. -- The resource I directed to be taken, was in the intervals when the Rain ceased, to Strip Naked and Wash and Wring all our Cloaths in the Sea, which was a great refreshment. -- 

To the 28th the Weather better, when at Midnight I fell in with most dreadfull Breakers, but I was able to stand away clear of them. -- As I knew I was near the Coast of New Holland, I considered this to be the Reef Off that Coast, and I therefore stood to the West again in the