Straiton, 16 Cannons, 1687.  Those we imagine have been laid here from a wreck.  The carpenter with six men went in search of water, a mile up the water’s side; they found Peckett’s well, mention’d in Sir John Narborough’s book; the spring is so small, that it doth not give above thirty gallons per day, but the well being full, supplied us.  The people grow very turbulent and uneasy, requiring flour to be served out; which, in our present circumstance, is a most unreasonable request; we have but one cask of flour on board, and a great distance to run into the Brazil, and no other provision in the boat but the seal we have killed here:  Nay, they carry their demands much higher, insisting that the marine officers, and such people as cannot be assisting in working the boat, shall have but half the allowance of the rest; accordingly they have pitched upon twenty to be served half a pound of flour each man, and themselves a pound.  This distinction the half-pounders complain of, and that twenty are selected to be starved.  While we were at Port Desire, one day dressing our victuals, we set fire to the grass; instantly the flames spread, and immediately we saw the whole country in a conflagration, and the next day, from the watering-place, we saw the smoke at a distance, so that then the fire was not extinguished.

Friday the 25th, little wind, and fair weather; went up to our slaughter-house in Seal island, and took on board our sea-store, which we completed in half an hour’s time; turned down the harbour with the tide of ebb, in the evening, the wind at N.E. could make no hand of it, so bore away for the harbour again, and came to an anchor.

Saturday the 26th, at three in the morning, sailed out of Port Desire harbour; steered out E.N.E.  At six Penguin island bore S. by E. distant six leagues, and Cape Blanco N.W. by N. four leagues.  This day I took my departure from Cape Blanco; I judge the cape to lie in the longitude of 71:  00 W. from the meridian of London.

Monday the 28th, moderate gales, and fair.  This day served out all the flour in the boat, at three pound and a half to each man.  We have now nothing to live on but seal, and what Providence throws in our way.

Friday, January the 1st, 1741-2, fresh gales and fair weather, with a great sea.  At ten last night shifting the man at the helm, brought her by the lee, broke the boom; and lost a seaman overboard.  The greatest part of our seal taken in at Port Desire, for want of salt to cure it there, now stinks very much; but having nothing else we are obliged to eat it.  We are now miserable beyond description, having nothing to feed on ourselves, and at the same time almost eaten up with vermin.

Wednesday the 6th, departed this life Mr Thomas Harvey, the purser; he died a skeleton for want of food:  This gentleman probably was the first purser belonging to his majesty’s service that ever perished with hunger.  We see daily a great number of whales.