Nov. 25th.—Dark and cloudy. No observation. Plenty of wind.
Nov. 26th.—Lat. 15′ South; long. 32° West. One of the sailors caught an immense large albacore with a spear. Took three men to haul him in. He had a curious prickly fin upon his back, which he could completely hide in a crevice so as not to be perceived, and when hurt would set it up. Sea completely covered with flying-fish. A signal made for our ship to take in tow the Three Sisters, a small brig, she being to leeward. Ran down to her and obeyed the signal.
Nov. 27th.—Lat. 1° 29′; long. 32°. Speared another large albacore, which measured 4 feet long and 2 feet 9 inches in circumference.
Nov. 28th.—Lat. 3°. Therm. 82°. Signal made by Commodore signifying land in sight, bearing south-south-west, upon which he altered his course one point more to the westward. Supposed to be the island Ferando Noronha.
Nov. 29th.—Lat. 4° 12′. Therm. 84°.
Nov. 30th.—Lat. 5° 27′; long. 34° 15′. Therm. 81°. Took in tow the Osborne, a large ship with Dragoons on board.
Dec. 1st.—Lat. 6° 39′. Therm. 82°. At 6 o’clock a.m. a signal made by Commodore signifying land in sight, supposed to be Cape Augustin.
Dec. 2nd.—Lat. 8° 20′. Therm. 82°. Have observed for these two or three days the flying-fish have almost entirely disappeared.
Dec. 3rd.—Lat. 10° 3′. Therm. 81°. The two merchant ships, the Lincoln and Loyalist, the former bound to the East Indies, the latter store-ship for the Cape of Good Hope, parted convoy. On altering their course every ship hoisted her ensign, which was returned by them by way of farewell. Had a pretty effect.
Dec. 4th.—Lat. 12° 42′. Therm. 81°. Lovely breeze. A signal for masters of transports to caulk and prepare their boats for landing.