SATURDAY AUGUST 1 1801.

Aug. 1, at noon, Porto Santo bore N. 11 deg.  W., and the rocky islands called Dezertas, from N. 65 deg. to S. 85 deg.  W. distant three leagues.  The south end of these islands lies, by our observations, in latitude 32 deg. 24’ 20” north, which differs less than one mile from its position in Mr. Johnston’s chart of the Madeiras.  There being little wind next morning [SUNDAY AUGUST 2], I went off in one of the cutters, accompanied by Messieurs Brown and Bauer, the naturalist and natural-history painter, to the southernmost island, called Bujio, which was not far distant.  On the way, I shot several birds of the puffin kind, one of which had a fathom of small brass wire attached to its wing.  The distance of the land proved to be more considerable than was expected; and there being a current setting southward we did not reach the shore until near three in the afternoon, when it was necessary to think of returning.

[AT MADEIRA—­FUNCHAL ROAD]

A small ledge of rocks, which projected a little from under the cliffs at the south-west part of Bujio, afforded a landing place; but it was impossible to ascend the top of the island.  We saw no other animated beings than a few birds something like green linnets, but which were said, at Madeira, to have been canary birds; and the other productions were scarcely sufficient to afford amusement even to a naturalist.  The cliffs over head showed marks of irregular stratification, and in some of the lines there was a red tinge, apparently of iron.  The base underneath was black and honey-combed, as if it had been in the fire, resembling in this respect the common stone at Funchal.

We left Bujio well satisfied that, so far as we could judge of the islands, the name Dezertas, or Desert Islands, was well chosen; and soon after dusk, reached the ship.  There was then a good breeze from the north-eastward, with which we steered for Madeira. tacking occasionally during the night, to take advantage of the different flaws of wind.  At the following noon [MONDAY 3 AUGUST], the ship was under Brazen Head, which forms the east side of Funchal Road; and being there becalmed, we towed in with the boats, and came to an anchor at four o’clock, in 22 fathoms, steadying with a kedge to the north-west.  In this situation, which seems to be as good as any in the road, the bearings by compass were as follow: 

Brazen Head, S. 71 deg.  E.
Punta de Cruz, on the west side, N. 85 W.
Loo Fort, distant one-third of a mile, N. 12 W.