Series 03: Joseph Banks - Endeavour journal, 25 August 1768 - 12 July 1771 (vol. 2) - No. 0293
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[Page 293]
289.
June 1770 Endeavours Rocks
this we doubted not would make a hole in her bottom we only hopd that it might not let in more water than we could clear with our pumps
In this situation day broke upon us & showd us the land about 8 Leagues off as we Judgd; nearer than that was no Island or place on which we could set foot: it however brought with it a decrease of wind & soon after that a flat calm the most fortunate circumstance that could Possibly attend people in our situation circumstances the tide we found had falln 2 feet & still continued to fall Anchors were however got out & laid ready for heaving as soon as the tide should rise but to our great surprize we could not observe it to rise in the least.
Orders were now given for lightning the ship which was began by starting our water & pumping it up the ballast was then got up & thrown over board as well as 6 of our guns (all that we had upon deck) all this time the Seamen workd with surprizing chearfullness & alacrity no grumbling or growling was to be heard throughout the ship no not even an oath (tho the ship in general was as as well furnishd with them as most in his majesties service) about one the water was faln so low