Tuesday, 5th May. Towards the evening the gale considerably abated. Wind S E.
A little after noon, other islands appeared, and at a quarter past three o'clock we could count eight, bearing from S round by the west to N W by N; those to the south, which were the nearest, being four leagues distant from us.
I kept my course to the N W by W, between the islands, and at six o'clock discovered three other small islands to the N W, the westernmost of them bore N W 1/2 W 7 leagues. I steered to the southward of these islands, a W N W course for the night, under a reefed sail.
Served a few broken pieces of bread-fruit for supper, and performed prayers.
The night turned out fair, and, having had tolerable rest, every one seemed considerably better in the morning, and contentedly breakfasted on a few pieces of yams that were found in the boat. After breakfast we prepared a chest for our bread, and it got secured: but unfortunately a great deal was damaged and rotten; this nevertheless we were glad to keep for use.
I had hitherto been scarcely able to keep any account of our run; but we now equipped ourselves a little better, by getting a log-line marked, and, having practised at counting seconds; several could do it with some degree of exactness.
1789. May 5.
The islands I have passed lie between the latitude of 19° 5´ S and 18° 19´ S, and, according to my reckoning, from 3° 17´ to 3° 46´ W longitude from the island Tofoa: the largest may be about six leagues in circuit; but it is impossible for me to be very exact. To show where they are to be found again is the most my situation enabled me to do. The sketch I have made, will give a comparative view of their extent. I believe all the larger islands are inhabited, as they appeared very fertile.
At noon I observed, in latitude 18° 10´ S, and considered my course and distance from yesterday noon, N W by W 1/2 W, 94 miles; longitude, by account, from Tofoa 4° 29´ W.
For dinner, I served some of the damaged bread, and a quarter of a pint of water.