Robert Kerr - A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels, Volume 16

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A

GENERAL

HISTORY AND COLLECTION

OF

VOYAGES AND TRAVELS,

ARRANGED IN SYSTEMATIC ORDER:

FORMING A COMPLETE HISTORY OF THE ORIGIN AND PROGRESS OF NAVIGATION,
DISCOVERY, AND COMMERCE, BY SEA AND LAND, FROM THE EARLIEST AGES TO
THE PRESENT TIME.

* * * * *

BY

ROBERT KERR, F.R.S. & F.A.S. EDIN.

* * * * *

ILLUSTRATED BY MAPS AND CHARTS.

VOL. XVI.

WILLIAM BLACKWOOD, EDINBURGH:

AND T. CADELL, LONDON.

MDCCCXXIV.

CONTENTS OF VOL. XVI.

CHAP. III. Transactions at Otaheite, and the Society Islands; and
prosecution of the Voyage to the Coast of North America, 1

SECT.

I. An Eclipse of the Moon observed. The Island Toobouai
discovered. Its Situation, Extent, and Appearance. Intercourse
with its Inhabitants. Their Persons, Dresses, and Canoes
described. Arrival at Oheitepeha Bay, at Otaheite. Omai's
Reception and imprudent Conduct. Account of Spanish Ships
twice visiting the Island. Interview with the Chief of this
District. The Olla, or God, of Bolabola. A mad Prophet.
Arrival in Matavai Bay, 1

II. Interview with Otoo, King of the Island, Imprudent Conduct
of Omai. Employments on Shore. European Animals landed.
Particulars about a Native who had visited Lima. About
Oedidee. A Revolt in Eimeo. War with that Island determined
upon, in a Council of Chiefs. A human Sacrifice on that
Account. A particular Relation of the Ceremonies at the
great Morai, where the Sacrifice was offered. Other barbarous
Customs of this People, 16

III. Conference with Towha. Heevas described. Omai and Oedidee
give Dinners. Fireworks exhibited. A remarkable Present of
Cloth. Manner of preserving the Body of a dead Chief. Another
human Sacrifice. Riding on Horseback. Otoo's Attention to
supply Provisions, and prevent Thefts. Animals given to him.
Etary, and the Deputies of a Chief, have Audiences. A mock
Fight of two War Canoes. Naval Strength of these Islands.
Manner of conducting a War, 35

IV. The Day of Sailing fixed. Peace made with Eimeo. Debates
about it, and Otoo's Conduct blamed. A Solemnity at the Morai
on the Occasion, described by Mr King. Observations upon it.
Instance of Otoo's Art. Omai's War-Canoe, and Remarks upon his
Behaviour. Otoo's Present, and Message to the King of Great
Britain. Reflections on our Manner of Traffic, and on the good
Treatment we met with at Otaheite. Account of the Expedition
of the Spaniards. Their Fictions to depreciate the English.
Wishes expressed that no Settlement may be made. Omai's
Jealousy of another Traveller, 48

V. Arrival at Eimeo. Two Harbours there, and an Account of
them. Visit from Maheine, Chief of the Island. His Person
described. A Goat stolen, and sent back with the Thief.
Another Goat stolen, and secreted. Measures taken on the
Occasion. Expedition cross the Island. Houses and Canoes
burnt. The Goat delivered up, and Peace restored. Some Account
of the Island, &c. 62

VI. Arrival at Huaheine. Council of the Chiefs. Omai's
Offerings, and Speech to the Chiefs. His Establishment in this
Island agreed to. A House built, and Garden planted for him.
Singularity of his Situation. Measures taken to insure his
Safety. Damage done by Cock-roaches on board the Ships. A
Thief detected and punished. Fireworks exhibited. Animals left
with Omai. His Family. Weapons. Inscription on his House. His
Behaviour on the Ships leaving the Island. Summary View of his
Conduct and Character. Account of the two New Zealand Youths,
71

VII. Arrival at Ulietea. Astronomical Observations. A
Marine deserts, and is delivered up. Intelligence from
Omai. Instructions to Captain Clerke. Another Desertion of
a Midshipman and a Seaman. Three of the chief Persons of the
Island confined on that Account. A Design to seize Captains
Cook and Clerke discovered. The two Deserters brought back,
and the Prisoners released. The Ships sail. Refreshments
received at Ulietea. Present and former State of that Island.
Account of its dethroned King, and of the late Regent of
Huaheine, 87

VIII. Arrival at Bolabola. Interview with Opoony. Reasons for
purchasing Monsieur de Bougainville's Anchor. Departure from
the Society Islands. Particulars about Bolabola. History of
the Conquest of Otaha and Ulietea. High Reputation of the
Bolabola Men. Animals left there and at Ulietea. Plentiful
Supply of Provisions, and Manner of salting Pork on Board.
Various Reflections relative to Otaheite and the Society
Islands. Astronomical and Nautical Observations made there, 99

IX. Accounts of Otaheite still imperfect. The prevailing
Winds. Beauty of the Country. Cultivation. Natural
Curiosities. The Persons of the Natives. Diseases. General
Character. Love of Pleasure. Language. Surgery and Physic.
Articles of Food. Effects of drinking Ava. Times and Manner of
Eating. Connexions with the Females. Circumcision. System of
Religion. Notions about the Soul and a future Life. Various
Superstitions. Traditions about the Creation. An historical
Legend. Honours paid to the King. Distinction of Ranks.
Punishment of Crimes. Peculiarities of the neighbouring
Islands. Names of their Gods. Names of Islands they visit.
Extent of their Navigation, 10

X. Progress of the Voyage, after leaving the Society Islands.
Christmas Island discovered, and Station of the Ships there.
Boats sent ashore. Great Success in catching Turtle. An
Eclipse of the Sun observed. Distress of two Seamen who had
lost their Way. Inscription left in a Bottle. Account of the
Island. Its Soil. Trees and Plants. Birds. Its Size. Form.
Situation. Anchoring Ground, 139

XI. Some Islands discovered. Account of the Natives of Atooi,
who came off to the Ships, and their Behaviour on going
on Board. One of them killed. Precautions used to prevent
Intercourse with the Females. A Watering-place found.
Reception upon landing. Excursion into the Country. A Morai
visited and described. Graves of the Chiefs, and of the human
Sacrifices, there buried. Another Island, called Oneeheow,
visited. Ceremonies performed by the Natives, who go off to
the Ships. Reasons for believing that they are Cannibals.
A Party sent ashore, who remain two Nights. Account of what
passed on landing. The Ships leave the Islands, and proceed to
the North, 148

XII. The Situation of the Islands now discovered. Their
Names. Called the Sandwich Islands. Atooi described. The Soil.
Climate. Vegetable Productions. Birds. Fish. Domestic
Animals. Persons of the Inhabitants. Their Disposition.
Dress. Ornaments. Habitations. Food. Cookery. Amusements.
Manufactures. Working-tools. Knowledge of Iron accounted for.
Canoes. Agriculture. Account of one of their Chiefs. Weapons.
Customs agreeing with those of Tongataboo and Otaheite.
Their Language the same. Extent of this Nation throughout
the Pacific Ocean. Reflections on the useful Situation of the
Sandwich Islands, 172

XIII. Observations made at the Sandwich Islands, on the
Longitude, Variation of the Compass and Tides. Prosecution of
the Voyage. Remarks on the Mildness of the Weather, as far as
the Latitude 44 deg. North. Paucity of Sea Birds, in the Northern
Hemisphere. Small Sea Animals described. Arrival on the Coast
of America. Appearance of the Country. Unfavourable Winds and
boisterous Weather. Remarks on Martin de Aguilar's River, and
Juan de Fuca's pretended Strait. An Inlet discovered, where
the Ship's anchor. Behaviour of the Natives, 195

CHAP. IV. Transactions, amongst the Natives of North America;
Discoveries along that Coast and the Eastern Extremity of Asia,
Northward to Icy Cape; and return Southward to the Sandwich Islands,
207

SECT.

I. The Ships enter the Sound, and moor in a Harbour.
Intercourse with the Natives. Articles brought to barter.
Thefts committed. The Observatories erected, and Carpenters
set to work. Jealousy of the Inhabitants of the Sound to
prevent other Tribes having Intercourse with the Ships. Stormy
and rainy Weather. Progress round the Sound. Behaviour of the
Natives at their Villages. Their Manner of drying Fish, &c.
Remarkable Visit from Strangers, and introductory Ceremonies.
A second Visit to one of the Villages. Leave to cut Grass,
purchased. The Ships sail. Presents given and received at
parting, 207

II. The Name of the Sound, and Directions for Sailing into
it. Account of the adjacent Country. Weather. Climate. Trees.
Other Vegetable Productions. Quadrupeds, whose Skins were
brought for Sale. Sea Animals. Description of a Sea-Otter.
Birds. Water Fowl. Fish. Shell-fish, &c. Reptiles. Insects.
Stones, &c. Persons of the Inhabitants. Their Colour. Common
Dress and Ornaments. Occasional Dresses, and monstrous
Decorations of wooden Masks. Their general Dispositions.
Songs. Musical Instruments. Their Eagerness to possess Iron
and other Metals, 221

III. Manner of Building the Houses in Nootka Sound. Inside
of them described. Furniture and Utensils. Wooden Images.
Employments of the Men. Of the Women. Food, Animal and
Vegetable. Manner of preparing it. Weapons. Manufactures and
Mechanic Arts. Carving and Painting. Canoes. Implements for
Fishing and Hunting. Iron Tools. Manner of procuring that
Metal. Remarks on their Language, and a Specimen of it.
Astronomical and Nautical Observations made in Nootka Sound,
239

IV. A Storm, after sailing from Nootka Sound. Resolution
springs a Leak. Pretended Strait of Admiral de Fonte passed
unexamined. Progress along the Coast of America. Behring's
Bay. Kaye's Island. Account of it. The Ships come to an
Anchor. Visited by the Natives. Their Behaviour. Fondness for
Beads and Iron. Attempt to plunder the Discovery. Resolution's
Leak stopped; Progress up the Sound. Messrs Gore and Roberts
sent to examine its Extent. Reasons against a Passage to the
North through it. The Ships proceed down it to the open Sea
260

V. The Inlet called Prince William's Sound. Its Extent.
Persons of the Inhabitants described. Their Dress. Incision of
the Under-lip. Various other Ornaments. Their Boats. Weapons.
Fishing and hunting Instruments. Utensils. Tools. Uses Iron
is applied to. Food. Language, and a Specimen of it. Animals.
Birds. Fish. Iron and Beads, whence received, 279

VI. Progress along the Coast. Cape Elizabeth. Cape St
Hermogenes. Accounts of Beering's Voyage very defective. Point
Banks. Cape Douglas. Cape Bede. Mount St Augustin. Hopes
of finding a Passage up an Inlet. The Ships proceed up it.
Indubitable Marks of its being a River. Named Cook's River.
The Ships return down it. Various Visits from the Natives.
Lieutenant King lands, and takes Possession of the Country.
His Report. The Resolution runs aground on a Shoal.
Reflections on the Discovery of Cook's River. The considerable
Tides in it accounted for, 291

VII. Discoveries after leaving Cook's River. Island of St
Hermogenes. Cape Whitsunday. Cape Greville. Cape Barnabas.
Two-headed Point. Trinity Island. Beering's Foggy Island. A
beautiful Bird described. Kodiak and the Schumagin Islands. A
Russian Letter brought on Board by a Native. Conjectures
about it. Rock Point. Halibut Island. A Volcano Mountain.
Providential Escape. Arrival of the Ships at Oonalaschka.
Intercourse with the Natives there. Another Russian Letter.
Samganoodha Harbour described, 306

VIII. Progress Northward, after leaving Oonalashka. The
Islands Oonella and Acootan. Ooneemak. Shallowness of the
Water along the Coast. Bristol Bay. Round Island. Calm Point.
Cape Newenham. Lieutenant Williamson lands, and his Report.
Bristol Bay, and its Extent. The Ships obliged to return on
account of Shoals. Natives come off to the Ships. Death of
Mr Anderson; his Character; and Island named after him. Point
Rodney. Sledge Island, and Remarks on landing there. King's
Island. Cape Prince of Wales, the Western Extreme of America.
Course Westward. Anchor in a Bay on the Coast of Asia, 323

IX. Behaviour of the Natives, the Tschutski, on seeing the
Ships. Interview with some of them. Their Weapons. Persons.
Ornaments Clothing. Winter and Summer Habitations. The Ships
cross the Strait, to the Coast of America. Progress Northward.
Cape Mulgrave. Appearance of Fields of Ice. Situation of Icy
Cape, the Sea blocked up with Ice. Sea-horses killed, and used
as Provisions. These Animals described. Dimensions of one of
them. Cape Lisburne. Fruitless Attempt to get through the Ice
at a Distance from the Coast. Observations on the Formation
of this Ice. Arrival on the Coast of Asia. Cape North. The
Prosecution of the Voyage deferred to the ensuing Year, 338

X. Return from Cape North, along the Coast of Asia. Views of
the Country. Burney's Island. Cape Serdze Kamen, the Northern
Limit of Beering's Voyage. Pass the East Cape of Asia.
Description and Situation of it. Observations on Muller.
The Tschutski. Bay of Saint Laurence. Two other Bays, and
Habitations of the Natives. Beering's Cape Tschukotskoi.
Beering's Position of this Coast accurate. Island of Saint
Laurence. Pass to the American Coast. Cape Derby. Bald Head.
Cape Denbigh, on a Peninsula. Besborough Island. Wood and
Water procured. Visits from the Natives. Their Persons and
Habitations. Produce of the Country. Marks that the Peninsula
had formerly been surrounded by the Sea. Lieutenant King's
Report. Norton Sound. Lunar Observations there. Staehlin's Map
proved to be erroneous. Plan of future Operations, 353

XI. Discoveries after leaving Norton Sound. Stuart's Island.
Cape Stephens. Point Shallow-Water. Shoals on the American
Coast. Clerke's Island. Gore's Island. Pinnacle Island.
Arrival at Oonalashka. Intercourse with the Natives
and Russian Traders. Charts of the Russian Discoveries,
communicated by Mr Ismyloff. Their Errors pointed out.
Situation of the Islands visited by the Russians. Account of
their Settlement at Oonalashka. Of the Natives of the Island.
Their Persons. Dress. Ornaments. Food. Houses and domestic
Utensils. Manufactures. Manner of producing Fire. Canoes.
Fishing and Hunting Implements. Fishes, and Sea Animals. Sea
and Water Fowls, and Land Birds. Land Animals and Vegetables.
Manner of burying the Dead. Resemblance of the Natives on
this Side of America to the Greenlanders and Esquimaux. Tides.
Observations for determining the Longitude of Oonalashka. 369

XII. Departure from Oonalashka, and future Views. The Island
Amoghta. Situation of a remarkable Rock. Strait between
Oonalashka and Oonella repassed. Progress to the South.
Melancholy Accident on board the Discovery. Mowee, one of the
Sandwich Islands, discovered. Intercourse with the Natives.
Visit from Terreeoboo. Another Island, called Owhyhee,
discovered. The Ships ply to Windward to get round it.
An Eclipse of the Moon observed. The Crew refuse to drink
Sugar-cane Beer. Cordage deficient in Strength. Commendation
of the Natives of Owhyhee. The Resolution gets to Windward of
the Island. Her Progress down the South-East Coast. Views of
the Country, and Visits from the Natives. The Discovery joins.
Slow Progress Westward. Karakakooa Bay examined by Mr Bligh.
Vast Concourse of the Natives. The Ships anchor in the Bay,
402

CHAP. V. Captain King's Journal of the Transactions on Returning to
the Sandwich Islands, 421

SECT.

I. Description of Karakakooa Bay. Vast Concourse of the
Natives. Power of the Chiefs over the Inferior People.
Visit from Koah, a Priest and Warrior. The Morai at Kakooa
described. Ceremonies at the Landing of Captain Cook.
Observatories erected. Powerful Operation of the Taboo. Method
of Salting Pork in Tropical Climates. Society of Priests
discovered. Their Hospitality and Munificence. Reception of
Captain Cook. Artifice of Koah. Arrival of Terreeoboo, King of
the Island. Returned by Captain Cook, 421

II. Farther Account of Transactions with the Natives. Their
Hospitality. Propensity to Theft. Description of a Boxing
Match. Death of one of our Seamen. Behaviour of the Priests at
his Funeral. The Wood Work and Images on the Morai purchased.
The Natives inquisitive about our Departure. Their Opinion
about the Design of our Voyage. Magnificent Presents of
Terreeoboo to Captain Cook. The Ships leave the Island. The
Resolution damaged in a Gale, and obliged to return, 434

III. Suspicious Behaviour of the Natives, on our Return
to Karakakooa Bay. Theft on Board the Discovery, and its
Consequences. The Pinnace attacked, and the Crew obliged to
quit her. Captain Cook's Observations on the Occasion. Attempt
at the Observatory. The Cutter of the Discovery stolen.
Measures taken by Captain Cook for its Recovery. Goes on Shore
to invite the King on Board. The King being stopped by his
Wife and the Chiefs, a Contest arises. News arrives of one of
the Chiefs being killed by one of our People. Ferment on this
Occasion. One of the Chiefs threatens Captain Cook, and is
shot by him. General Attack by the Natives. Death of Captain
Cook. Account of the Captain's Services, and a Sketch of his
Character, 446

IV. Transactions at Owhyhee subsequent to the Death of
Captain Cook. Gallant Behaviour of the Lieutenant of Marines.
Dangerous Situation of the Party at the Morai. Bravery of
one of the Natives. Consultation respecting future Measures.
Demand of the Body of Captain Cook. Evasive and insidious
Conduct of Koah and the Chiefs. Insolent Behaviour of the
Natives. Promotion of Officers. Arrival of two Priests with
Part of the Body. Extraordinary Behaviour of two Boys. Burning
of the Village of Kakooa. Unfortunate Destruction of the
Dwellings of the Priests. Recovery of the Bones of Captain
Cook. Departure from Karakakooa Bay, 460

V. Departure from Karakakooa in Search of a Harbour on the
South-East Side of Mowee. Driven to Leeward by the Easterly
Winds and Current. Pass the Island of Tahoorowha. Description
of the South-West Side of Mowee. Run along the Coasts of Ranai
and Morotoi to Woahoo. Description of the North-East Coast
of Woahoo. Unsuccessful Attempt to Water. Passage to Atooi.
Anchor in Wymoa Bay. Dangerous Situation of the Watering Party
on Shore. Civil Dissensions in the Islands. Visit from the
contending Chiefs. Anchor off Oneeheow. Final Departure from
the Sandwich Islands, 492

A

GENERAL HISTORY,

AND

COLLECTION

OF

VOYAGES AND TRAVELS.

* * * * *

PART III. BOOK III. (CONTINUED.)

* * * * *

CHAPTER III.

TRANSACTIONS AT OTAHEITE, AND THE SOCIETY ISLANDS; AND PROSECUTION OF
THE VOYAGE TO THE COAST OF NORTH AMERICA.

SECTION I.

_An Eclipse of the Moon observed.--The Island Toobouai
discovered.--Its Situation, Extent, and Appearance.--Intercourse
with its Inhabitants.--Their Persons, Dresses, and Canoes
described.--Arrival at Oheitepeha Bay, at Otaheite.--Omai's Reception
and imprudent Conduct.--Account of Spanish Ships twice visiting the
Island.--Interview with the Chief of this District.--The Olla, or God,
of Bolabola.--A mad Prophet.--Arrival in Matavai Bay._

Having, as before related,[1] taken our final leave of the Friendly
Islands, I now resume my narrative of the voyage. In the evening of
the 17th of July, at eight o'clock, the body of Eaoo bore N.E. by
N., distant three or four leagues. The wind was now at E., and blew
a fresh gale. With it I stood to the S., till half an hour past
six o'clock the next morning, when a sudden squall, from the same
direction, took our ship aback; and, before the sails could be trimmed
on the other tack, the main-sail and the top-gallant sails were much
torn.

[Footnote 1: See the conclusion of Sect. IX. Chap. II.]

The wind kept between the S.W. and S.E., on the 19th and 20th,
afterward, it veered to the E., N.E., and N. The night between the
20th and 21st, an eclipse of the moon was observed as follows, being
then in the latitude of 22 deg. 57-1/2' S.:

Apparent time, A.M.
H.M.S.

Beginning, by Mr King, at 0 32 50 |
Mr Bligh, at 0 33 25 > Mean long. 186 deg. 57-1/2'.
Myself, at 0 33 35 |

End, by Mr King at 1 44 56 | Mean long. 186 deg. 28-1/2'.
Mr Bligh at 1 44 6 > Time keep. 186 deg. 58-1/2'.
Myself, at 1 44 56 |

The latitude and longitude are those of the ship, at 8^h 56^m a.m.,
being the time when the sun's altitude was taken for finding the
apparent time. At the beginning of the eclipse, the moon was in
the zenith, so that it was found most convenient to make use of the
sextants, and to make the observations by the reflected image, which
was brought down to a convenient altitude. The same was done at the
end, except by Mr King, who observed with a night telescope. Although
the greatest difference between our several observations is no
more than fifty seconds, it, nevertheless, appeared to me that
two observers might differ more than double that time, in both the
beginning and end. And, though the times are noted to seconds, no such
accuracy was pretended to. The odd seconds set down above, arose by
reducing the time, as given by the watch, to apparent time.

I continued to stretch to the E.S.E., with the wind at N.E. and N.,
without meeting with any thing worthy of note, till seven o'clock in
the evening of the 29th, when we had a sudden and very heavy squall
of wind from the N. At this time we were under single reefed topsails,
courses, and stay-sails. Two of the latter were blown to pieces,
and it was with difficulty that we saved the other sails. After
this squall, we observed several lights moving about on board the
Discovery, by which we concluded, that something had given way; and,
the next morning, we saw that her main-top-mast had been lost. Both
wind and weather continued very unsettled till noon, this day, when
the latter cleared up, and the former settled in the N.W. quarter. At
this time, we were in the latitude of 28 deg. 6' S., and our longitude was
198 deg. 23' E. Here we saw some pintado birds, being the first since we
left the land.

On the 31st, at noon, Captain Clerke made a signal to speak with me.
By the return of the boat which I sent on board his ship, he informed
me, that the head of the main-mast had been just discovered to be
sprung, in such a manner as to render the rigging of another top-mast
very dangerous; and that, therefore, he must rig something lighter
in its place. He also informed me, that he had lost his
main-top-gallant-yard, and that he neither had another, nor a spar to
make one, on board. The Resolution's sprit-sail top-sail yard which I
sent him, supplied this want. The next day, he got up a jury top-mast,
on which he set a mizen-top-sail, and this enabled him to keep way
with the Resolution.

The wind was fixed in the western board, that is, from the N., round
by the W. to S., and I steered E.N.E. and N.E., without meeting with
anything remarkable, till eleven o'clock in the morning of the 8th
of August, when land was seen, bearing N.N.E., nine or ten leagues
distant. At first, it appeared in detached hills, like so many
separate islands; but, as we drew nearer, we found that they were all
connected, and belonged to one and the same island. I steered directly
for it, with a fine gale at S.E. by S.; and at half-past six o'clock
in the afternoon, it extended from N. by E., to N.N.E. 3/4 E., distant
three or four leagues.

The night was spent standing off and on; and at day-break the next
morning, I steered for the N.W., or lee-side of the island; and as we
stood round its S. or S.W. part, we saw it every where guarded by a
reef of coral rock, extending, in some places, a full mile from the
land, and a high surf breaking upon it. Some thought that they
saw land to the southward of this island; but, as that was to the
windward, it was left undetermined. As we drew near, we saw people on
different parts of the coast, walking, or running along the shore, and
in a little time after we had reached the lee-side of the island,
we saw them launch two canoes, into which above a dozen men got, and
paddled toward us.