Series 03: Joseph Banks - Endeavour journal, 25 August 1768 - 12 July 1771 (vol. 2) - No. 0291
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[Page 291]
287.
June 1770 Endeavour Rocks
the South Sea. Early in the morn we weighd & saild as usual with a fine breeze along shore, the Countrey hilly & stoney at night fall rocks & sholes were seen ahead on which the ship was put upon a wind off shore while we were at supper she went over a bank of 7 or 8 fathom water which she came upon very suddenly this we concluded to be the tail of the Sholes we had seen at sunset & therefore went to bed in perfect security. but scarce were we warm in our beds when we were calld up with the alarming news of the ship being fast ashore upon a rock which she in a few moments convincd us of by beating very violently against the rocks. our situation became now greatly alarming, we had stood off shore 3 hours & a half with a pleasant breeze so knew we could not be very near it we were little less than certain that we were upon sunken coral rocks the most dreadfull of all others on account of their sharp points & grinding quality which cut through a ships bottom almost immediately the officers however behavd with inimitable coolness void of all hurry & confusion; a boat was got out