King William’s island.

The 14th we passed by Schouten’s Island and Providence Island, and found still a very strong current setting to the north-west.  On the 17th the we saw a high mountain on the main that sent forth great quantities of smoke from its top:  this volcano we did not see in our voyage out.  In the afternoon we discovered King William’s Island, and crowded all the sail we could to get near it before night; thinking to lie to the eastward of it till day, for fear of some shoals that lie at the west end of it.  Before night we got within 2 leagues of it and, having a fine gale of wind and a light moon, I resolved to pass through in the night; which I hoped to do before 12 o’clock if the gale continued; but when we came within 2 miles of it it fell calm; yet afterwards, by the help of the current, a small gale, and our boat, we got through before day.  In the night we had a very fragrant smell from the island.

Strange whirlpools.

By morning-light we were got 2 leagues to the westward of it; and then were becalmed all the morning; and met such whirling tides that when we came into them the ship turned quite round; and though sometimes we had a small gale of wind yet she could not feel the helm when she came into these whirlpools:  neither could we get from amongst them till a brisk gale sprang up; yet we drove not much any way, but whirled round like a top.  And those whirlpools were not constant to one place, but drove about strangely; and sometimes we saw among them large ripplings of the water, like great overfalls, making a fearful noise.  I sent my boat to sound but found no ground.

Distance between cape Mabo and cape st. George computed.

The 18th Cape Mabo bore south distance 9 leagues.  By which account it lies in the latitude of 50 minutes south and meridian distance from Cape St. George 1243 miles.  St. John’s Isle lies 48 miles to the east of Cape St. George; which, being added to the distance between Cape St. George and Cape Mabo, makes 1291 meridional parts; which was the furthest that I was to the east.  In my outward-bound voyage I made meridian distance between Cape Mabo and Cape St. George 1290 miles; and now in my return but 1243; which is 47 short of my distance going out.  This difference may probably be occasioned by the strong western current which we found in our return, which I allowed for after I perceived it; and though we did not discern any current when we went to the eastward, except when near the islands, yet it is probable we had one against us, though we did not take notice of it because of the strong westerly winds.  King William’s Island lies in the latitude of 21 minutes south, and may be seen distinctly off of Cape Mabo.