Thursday 21.

On the evening of the 21st a ship was seen in the north-east but at too great a distance to distinguish of what country.

Friday 22.

The next day the wind came round to the north and north-west so that we could no longer consider ourselves in the tradewind.  Our latitude at noon was 25 degrees 55 minutes south, longitude 36 degrees 29 minutes west.  Variation of the compass three degrees east.

Saturday 23.

Towards night the wind died away and we had some heavy showers of rain of which we profited by saving a ton of good water.  The next day we caught a shark and five dolphins.

Tuesday 26.

We bent new sails and made other necessary preparations for encountering the weather that was to be expected in a high latitude.  Our latitude at noon was 29 degrees 38 minutes south, longitude 41 degrees 44 minutes west.  Variation 7 degrees 13 minutes east.  In the afternoon, the wind being westerly and blowing strong in squalls, some butterflies and other insects like what we call horseflies were blown on board of us.  No birds were seen except shearwaters.  Our distance from the coast of Brazil at this time was above 100 leagues.

March.  Sunday 2.

In the forenoon, after seeing that every person was clean, divine service was performed according to my usual custom on this day.  I gave to Mr. Fletcher Christian, whom I had before directed to take charge of the third watch, a written order to act as lieutenant.

Saturday 8.

We were at noon in latitude 36 degrees 50 minutes south and longitude 52 degrees 53 minutes west.  The last four days we several times tried for soundings without finding bottom, though considerably to the westward of Captain Wallis’ track, who had soundings at fifty-four fathoms depth in latitude 35 degrees 40 minutes south and longitude 49 degrees 54 minutes west.  This day we tried with two hundred and forty fathoms of line but did not find bottom; at the same time, observing a rippling in the water, we tried the current by mooring a keg with one hundred fathoms of line, by which it appeared to run to the north-north-west at the rate of a mile and a half per hour.  By the noon observation however we were eighteen miles to the southward of our reckoning.  In the afternoon we saw a turtle floating and, not having much wind, hoisted a boat out and sent after it; but it was found to be in a putrid state with a number of crabs feeding upon it.

The change of temperature began now to be sensibly felt, there being a variation in the thermometer since yesterday of eight degrees.  That the people might not suffer by their own negligence I gave orders for their light tropical clothing to be put by, and made them dress in a manner more suited to a cold climate.  I had provided for this before I left England by giving directions for such clothes to be purchased as were necessary.

Monday 10.