Remarks etc on board His Majesty's Ship Eagle by James Cook Master. Part 2: between January and June 1756.

This transcription is reproduced with permission from the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Wellington, New Zealand. It is taken from the original held by them of:
Cook, James. Log book on board His Majesty's ship Eagle, kept by James Cook, Master's Mate, commencing 27th June 1755 and ending the 31st December 1756. Document reference number, qMS-0537-0539.

January 1756.

 
Thursday 15 January
Week
Days		 Month
Day		 Weather Remarks Notes
Thursday 1st Jan. Moderate and hazy. PM Hauled into the dock. Draft of water 16 :7 abaft, 15 :6 foreward. A court martial on board the Revenge.
AM Hauled out of the dock. Employed transporting alongside the Panther.		 HMS Panther.
Draft.
HMS Revenge.
Friday 2nd Fresh gales with hard squalls and rain. PM Took in one of the mooring bridles and lashed alongside the Panther. Got all the anchors to the bow and shifted all the iron ballast out of the main hold into the after hold.
AM Got the brandy and dry provisions out of the Panther and stowed them away. Stowed also in the brandy room 26 pigs of ballast taken out of the fish room.		 A bridle was a stout cable by which a vessel was secured to moorings.
The spirit- (or brandy-) room was located in the hold next to the fish-room, to contain the spirits to be drunk by the ship's company.
The fish-room was located between the after-hold and the spirit-room, where the salt-fish to be consumed on board was stowed.
Iron pigs
Saturday 3rd Ditto weather. PM Got on board 2 loads of shingle ballast. Employed getting the coals out of the fish room to come at all the iron ballast there. ??
AM Received on board two loads of shingle ballast. Got all the iron ballast out of the fish room. Got the tier and clear for taking in the cables.		 Ballast was heavy bulk material such as gravel, shingle, stones or iron, placed in the hold of a ship, in order to sink her to such a depth as to prevent her from capsizing when under sail or in motion.
Sunday 4th Moderate and hazy, sometimes small rain. PM Received on board 2 loads of shingle ballast and got the cables from on board the Panther.
AM Received one load of shingle ballast. Bent the sheet(?) cable. 		 
Monday 5th Hard gales, squally with rain. Employed working up *****. Carpenters employed on board.  
Tuesday 6th Ditto. AM Received a load of shingle ballast and butts of beer and some water. Scraped masts.  
Wednesday 7th First ditto weather. Remainder moderate. PM Received on board one load of shingle ballast. And levelled the ballast for taking in the ground tier. Employed making points, gaskets, etc. The ground tier was the bottom layer of casks in the hold.
Thursday 8th First and last parts fresh gales. Middle very hard gales with rain. PM Got on board some sails, a load of food(?) and 61 butts of the ground tier which we stowed away and returned all the empty casks. Ditto mustered.
AM Got up the mizzen yard and topmast and fore topgallant mast. Employed making points and gaskets, etc.		  
Friday 9th Moderate and hazy. Got on board brandy and remainder of sails.
AM Got on board 12 of the lower deck guns.		  
Saturday 10th Ditto weather. AM Got on board the remainder of the lower deck's and chase guns. Came alongside a barge with water.  
Sunday 11th Ditto weather. Got on board 50 butts of the ground tier which we stowed away and 4 tuns of beer in the longboat.  
Monday 12th First fresh gales and hazy. Middle very strong gales. Later moderate. PM Got on board all the main deck and quarter deck guns.  
Tuesday 13th First and later parts fresh gales and squally. Middle very strong gales with rain. PM Got up and scraped the topmast. Got all the beef and pork from on board the Panther.
AM The St. Albans and Monmouth broke from their moorings. Ditto struck the topmast. Employed making points, etc.		  
Wednesday 14th Fresh gales and hazy, sometimes rain. Employed making points, gaskets, etc. Cleaning the lower decks. Also bent best bower cable.  
Thursday 15th Ditto weather. PM Got up and rigged the main topgallant mast.
AM Got up yards and topmasts. Punished George Burdon for striking midshipman. Employed fixing preventer shrouds.		  
Friday 16th Ditto weather. Employed as before.
AM Took in the other bridle. Cleared the Panther of our wood and lumber and transported her alongside the charter(?).		  
Saturday 17th Ditto. PM Employed in fixing and getting up the preventer shrouds. Ditto sailed the Vanguard.
AM Employed fitting the sails for bending. Punished Patrick Cullen, marine, for sleeping on his watch. The Admiral and 5 sail more their topsails loose for sailing.		  
Sunday 18th Ditto weather. Sailed hence His Majesty's Ship Buckingham **** and Windsor. Employed about points and Robins, etc.
AM Received on board 30 butts of water which completed the ground tier, and 13 butts of beer from the York. The people from the Yard brought off and fixing the rudder.		  
Monday 19th First part ditto weather. Later strong gales and hazy. PM Sailed hence His Majesty's Ships Monmouth, Northumberland and Edinburgh
AM Struck the lower yards. Came alongside 60 butts of beer. Employed hoisting it in and stowing it away.		  
Tuesday 20th First part very strong gales and hazy with rain. Later more moderate but squally. PM Received on board the powder and stowed away the beer. Ditto struck the topmasts.
AM Employed making points and gaskets. Sent the longboat for boatswains stores.		  
Wednesday 21st Ditto weather. Employed working up junk.
AM Got up yards and topmasts.		  
Thursday 22nd Moderate and hazy sometime rain PM Employed as before.
AM Had a survey on boatswains stores when succeeded the former boatswain.		 Cook has not recorded previously that he was even the boatswain's mate. Nor does he record when he vacated this position.
Friday 23rd Fresh gales and hazy with rain. AM Struck the lower yards. Returned the out cable of the best bower. Employed making points, etc.  
Saturday 24th First part ditto weather. Later moderate. Employed as before.
AM Received a longboat load of water from Southdown. Got up the lower yards.		  
Sunday 25th Fore ditto weather. Later fresh gales with rain. PM Eared off the main stay 3 inches to make the **** further aft. Set up the main rigging. Eared
Monday 26th First part ditto weather. Remainder little wind and clear. PM Struck the yards and topmasts.
AM Sent the longboat on shore for boatswain's stores. Employed in cleaning the ship.		  
Tuesday 27th Ditto weather. PM Employed pointing **** the spare sail. Found some of them eaten with vermin.
AM Set up the fore shrouds. Got up and aired some of the spare sails. Got on board some boatswain's stores and a boat load of beer and water.		  
Wednesday 28th Ditto weather, mostly calm. Received on board a new small bower cable.
AM Got up yards and topmast. Employed in cleaning ship.		  
Thursday 29th Ditto weather. Received on board some boatswain's and carpenter's stores, a longboat load of beer and water. Employed in making points, gaskets, etc.  
Friday 30th Little wind and hazy. Employed as before.  
Saturday 31st Jan. Ditto weather. PM Received on board 249 bags of bread, 5 puncheons 49 hogheads of beef and 1 puncheon 16 hogheads of pork **** 4 tuns of beer and some water.  

 

February 1756.

 
Week
Days		 Month
Day		 Weather Remarks Notes
Sunday 1st Feb. Ditto weather. Employed stowing away of provisions.  
Monday 2nd Ditto weather. The carpenters employed repairing the sail room.
AM Employed scraping the ship's sides.		  
Tuesday 3rd First and middle parts light wind and cloudy. Later fresh gales and cloudy. PM Received on board 151 bags of bread. Came up here His Majesty's Ship Monarch Admiral Moyston.
AM Tarred the starboard side of the ship.		  
Wednesday 4th First and middle parts fresh gales and cloudy. Later strong gales with rain. Employed giving the ship boot tops and tarring the larboard side.
AM Received on board 83 butts of beer and struck yards of topmast.		  
Thursday 5th Ditto weather. Employed stowing away the beer.
AM Received on board 10 casks of pease, 25 casks of flour, and 10 hogsheads of brandy. Also fresh beef for the Ship's company. Mustered by the Clerk of the Cheque. 		Pease - dried split peas to be made into pease pudding.
Friday 6th Ditto weather. PM Got on board some boatswain's stores.
AM A signal for all lieutenants in general. Employed working up junk.		 Junk was old or inferior cable or rope (hence old junk). It would be cut up into short lengths and used for making fenders, reef-points, gaskets, oakum, etc.
Saturday 7th Ditto weather. PM As before.
AM Received on board 54 puncheons and 42 hogsheads of water. Employed stowing of it away.		  
Sunday 8th Moderate and fair. AM Received on board 20 butts of beer. A signal for all lieutenants in general.  
Monday 9th First part ditto weather. Remainder strong gales and hazy. Employed in making plats, gaskets, etc.
AM Received on board 10 barrels of oatmeal, 11 ditto of suet, 4 of raisins 4 casks of vinegar and 4 jars of oil, 42½ firkins of butter and 188 cheeses. Employed stowing them away.		 Firkin - A small cask for liquids, fish, butter, etc., originally containing a quarter of a 'barrel'.
Suet is the solid fat round the loins and kidneys of certain animals, esp. that of the ox and sheep, which, chopped up, is used in cooking.
Raisins are partially dried grapes.
Tuesday 10th Moderate and fair. Received on board some boatswain's stores.
AM A signal on board the Culloden for a court martial. **** great guns and small arms.		  
Wednesday 11th First part moderate and fair. Middle and later fresh gales and cloudy. AM Received on board some boatswain's and carpenter's stores.  
Thursday 12th Moderate and cloudy weather. PM Received on board 20 butts of beer, 10 butts, 10 puncheons, 10 hogsheads of water. Employed stowing in away. Mustered by the Clerk of the Cheque.  
Friday 13th First and middle parts moderate with rain. Later strong gales and cloudy. PM A signal on board the Culloden for a court martial punishment.  
Saturday 14th First part moderate and cloudy. Middle and later light airs and calm with rain. PM Sailed hence His Majesty's Ships York, Sheerness and Saltash sloop.
AM Employed making of plats and gaskets, etc.		  
Sunday 15th Light airs and calm. Received on board fresh beef for the Ship's company. Received on board spare topmast topsail yard. Employed cleaning the ship.  
Monday 16th First and middle parts strong gales with rain. Later moderate and cloudy. At 1PM departed this life John ****, marine. Came up here His Majesty's Ship Lyme.
AM A signal for all lieutenants in general. Employed in making plats and points, etc.		  
Tuesday 17th First moderate and cloudy. Middle and later strong gales with rain. PM Received on board a longboat load of beer and water.
AM 6 [Received on board] cord of wood.		  
Wednesday 18th Strong gales and squally weather with hail and rain. Employed clearing the wings and stowing away the wood. Wings
Thursday 19th First part strong gales with snow. Middle and later moderate and fair. AM A signal for a court martial. Exercised great guns and small arms.  
Friday 20th Ditto weather. Exercised great guns. A signal for all lieutenants in general.
AM A signal for all lieutenants. Got up topmast. Exercised small arms.		  
Saturday 21st Ditto weather. Employed of ***** and setting up topmast shrouds. Exercised small arms.
AM A signal on board the Culloden for a court martial. Employed setting up preventer shrouds and exercising small arms.		 Preventer
Sunday 22nd Light winds and calm. PM Exercised small arms. Employed working junk.
AM Got up the lower yards and topgallant yards. Payed the ship's sides with oil of tar.		  
Monday 23rd Ditto weather. PM A signal for all lieutenants in general.
AM A signal for all lieutenants. Employed scraping topmast and exercising small arms. Ditto a midshipman punished with 20 lashes alongside of every ship for sodomy, by the sentence of a court martial.		  
Tuesday 24th Moderate and fair, sometimes calm. PM Scraped the gun deck.
AM A signal for all lieutenants in general. Received on board fresh beef for the Ship's company. Exercised small arms.		  
Wednesday 25th Ditto weather. PM Exercised small arms. At sunset got down topgallant yards and lowered down lower yards.
At sunrise got them up again and so continued by way of exercise. Opened a cask of pork No. 535.		  
Thursday 26th      
Friday 27th      
Saturday 28th      
Sunday 29th      

 

March 1756.

  At the beginning of March 1756, Cook's ship, HMS Eagle, was in the Hamoaze, the inner harbour at Plymouth. Preparations were being made for sailing.

 

Week
Days		 Month
Day		 Weather Remarks Notes
Sunday 7th Moderate and fair weather PM Receievd on board fresh beef for the Ship's company. A signal for all lieutenants in the **** ****. Employed scraping and cleaning the ship.  
Monday 8th Moderate and hazy with small rain. AM Sailed hence His Majestys Ship Rochester. Employed making points. HMS Rochester was built at Deptford in 1749. It was a 4th rate, 1,034 tons burthen and 146 x 40 feet.
Tuesday 9th First part fresh gales and cloudy, remainder light airs and clear. PM A signal on board the Admiral for a court martial. Sailed hence His Majestys Ships Monarch, Culloden, Revenge, Orford and Dunkirk. Our long boat assisting the Revenge.
Exercised small arms. Received on board **** 12 of mutton and ** 5..9..13 fresh beef for the Ship's company.		 HMS Monarch was captured at Cape Finisterre in 1747. It was a 3rd rate, 1,707 tons burthen and 175 x 47.5 feet.
HMS Culloden was built at Deptford in 1747. It was a 3rd rate, 1,487 tons burthen and 161.5 x 46.5 feet.
HMS Revenge
HMS Orford was built at Woolwich in 1749. It was a 3rd rate, 1,414 tons burthen and 160 x 45 feet.
HMS Dunkirkwas built at Woolwich in 1754. It was a 4th rate, 1,246 tons burthen and 153 x 43 feet.
Wednesday 10th First and middle light winds and clear. Later fresh gales and cloudy. PM Employed getting up and airing the spare sails.
AM Employed getting water out of the fore hold to come **** **** **** ****. Returned 18 empty beer butts and two water butts in the long boat. A signal for all lieutenants. Saluted the Admiral with 13 guns as did the **** of the **** the salute repeated.		 Water in the fore hold would continue to be a problem.
Thursday 11th Moderate and cloudy weather. PM Employed stowing away the water in the main hold. Received on board in the longboat two butts and 15 ****.
AM Sailed hence His Majestys Ships Ipswich, Defiance and Kingston. Employed bending all the sails.		 HMS Ipswich was rebuilt at Portsmouth in 1730. It was a 3rd rate, 1,142 tons burthen and 150 x 40 feet.
HMS Defiance was built at Deptford in 1744. It was a 4th rate, **** tons burthen and 147.5 x 42.5 feet.
Kingston was rebuilt at Plymouth in 1740. It was a 4th rate, 1,068 tons burthen and 145 x 40 feet.
Friday 12th Ditto weather PM Received on board 40 butts of beer and some puncheons ****. Employed stowing away the beer. Opened a cask of beef No.576 contents **** **** 20 **** weight.
At 6 AM came on board a pilot in order to carry us into the sound. At 9 broke loose from the mooring and came to sail with the Weymouth. At * past 10 came to with the best bower in the Sound. Veered to * a cable. Drake Island NW by N and Fishers(?) **. Found riding here His Majestys Ships Falmouth and Port Mahon.		 best bower
Plymouth Sound
dRake Island
HMS Weymouth
HMS Falmouth
HMS Port Mahon.
Saturday 13th (1) Moderate and clody weather.
(10) Light airs and calm.
(12) Ditto weather but clear.		 (2) Set up the preventer shrouds.
(3) *** *** His Majestys Ship Gosport.
(4) Took down the jib **** and hoisted in the long boat.
(5) Came on board a pilot in order to get to sea with ****.
(6) Received on board 8..12..21 of fresh beef for the Ship's company.
(8) Discharged ten men being unfit for service.
(10) Hove short upon the best bower.

(7) Weighed and came to sail in order to put to sea.
(10) Saw fleet of ships to the east.
(11) Employed clearing the gun deck.
(12) Start E by N distance 6 leagues.

HMS Gosport
Start Point.
Sunday 14th (1) Fresh gales and cloudy.
(10) Ditto weather.

(1) Very fresh gales.
(6) More moderate.
(12) Fresh gales and cloudy.

(1) ½ past tacked and stood in.
(2) Took the first reef in the topsails. The ships to the eastward proved to be Admiral Hawke and ***** with 15 sail of men of was and 4 **** ships standing to the ****. At 2 brought to and saluted Admiral Hawke with 13 guns which he returned. Made sail.
(3) At 3 tacked and stood off.
(6) At 6 took the second reef in the topsails. Start Point E by N½N distance 6 leagues.

(1) Close reefed fore and mizen topsails. Tacked.
(2) At 2 close reefed main topsail. (6) Start Point NE by N distance 6 leagues. (8) Let 3 reefs out of the topsail. ½ past tacked and stood off. Start Point ENE distance 9 leagues.
(12) Start Point NE distance 8 leagues.

  
Monday 15th (1) Fresh gales and cloudy weather.
(10) Ditto weather.
(12) Fresh gales and squalls.

(8) Very fresh gales and hazy.
(12) Fresh gales and squally.

(2) Tacked and close reefed the topsails. Split the main topsail and unbent him and brought to another.
(4) Start Point NE distance 5 leagues. Sailmakers employed **** the main topsail. Got down topsail yards and **** topsail yard in.
(6) Start Point NE by N distance 4 leagues. Bolt Head N by E 3 leagues. Took in the fore and mizen topsails.

(4) Wore ship. (12) Start Point E by N distance 4 leagues. Bolt Head NE 3 leagues.

  
Tuesday 16th (1) Very fresh gales and squally.
(8) Ditto weather.
(12) Ditto weather.

(4) Ditto weather.
(8) Ditto weather.
(12) Ditto weather.

(4) Wore ship. Hauled up the foresail, being rent and repaired him.
(5) At 5 set him.
(6) Start Point NE by E½E distance 4 or 5 leagues.
(7) Wore ship.
(8) Start Point ENE distance 4 leagues.

(4) Wore ship.
(11) ½ past hauled up the main and fore courses and hauled up the robins. Wore and set them. Start Point NE by N distance 4 leagues.

  
Wednesday 17th (1) Strong gales and hazy.
(4) Ditto weather.
(12) Hazy with rain.

(5) Moderate.
(12) Moderate and cloudy.

(4) Wore ship. Clewed up the main topsail and set up shrouds and backstay.
(6) Set main topsail. Start Point ENE distance 6 leagues.
(8) Wore. Bolt Head NE distance 3 leagues.

(6) Wore and set the fore and mizen topsails.
(11) Let the 3rd reef out of the topsails and set the jibs.
(12) Start Point NNE distance 8 leagues.

 
Thursday 18th (1) Moderate and hazy with rain.
(8) Light winds and cloudy.
(12) Moderate and clear.

(12) Moderate and clear weather.

 (2) Sounded 98 fathoms coarse brown gravel sand.
(4) Start Point N½W distance 9 leagues.
(5) Let a reef out of the fore and mizen topsails.

(5) Got topgallant yards across.
(6) Portland NNW distance 5 or 6 leagues.
(8) Dunnose ENE distance 5 leagues. Let the 2nd reef out of the topsails.
(9) At 9 tacked and stood off.
(11) Saw a sail to windward coming down before the wind. Set topgallant sails and stays and tacked after her.
(12) At noon the chase ***** the wind to the west bearing SSE distance 9 miles. Dunnose NE by N distance 4 leagues.

 
Friday 19th (1) Light airs and hazy.
(7) Ditto weather.
(12) Ditto weather with some rain.

(2) Variable.
(5) Squally with rain.
(6) Hard gales with rain.
(12) Very strong gales, hazy wth rain.

(2) Fired a shot and brought to a sloop from Alderney(?) bound to ****.
(5) Made sail to the south. Dunnose NE by E distance 6 leagues.
(8) Hauled up the main sail.
(10) Up foresail.
(2) Sounded 37 fathoms coarse sand. Brought to.
(7) Close reefed the topsails and set the foresail.
(8) ½ past tacked. Took in fore and mizen topsails and set mainsail.
(9) Got down ****. Sounded 35 fathoms coarse sand.
(12) Dunnose NE distance 10 leagues. 		 
Saturday 20th (1) Very strong gales with rain.
(4) Moderate with rain.
(8) Moderate fair and cloudy.

(3) Moderate and clear.
(12) Light airs and clear weather.

 (3) ***** up the mainsail and tacked.
(5) Sounded 42 fathoms rocks with coarse sand.
(6) Cap la Hague WSW distance 6 or 7 leagues.
(7) Ditto SW by W½W distance 7 leagues.
(12) Set the fore topsail and **** up the mainsail.

(4) Tacked.
(7) Cap de Barfleur SW½W 6 leagues. Wore ship. Isle of Wight N by E½E distance 10 leagues. Spoke with a flag from Amsterdam bound to Topsham(?).
(10) Got topgallant yard across. **** up the foresail and lowered down the topsail and hauled up the robins. Sounded 36 fathoms rocky. Cap de Barfleur SW by W distance 7 leagues.
(11) ½ past 11 saw a sail to the east. Standing to the westward made sail and gave her chase.
(12) At noon she hoisted English colours. Took her to be an English man of war. Cap de Barfleur SW by W½W distance 8 leagues. Employed in cleaning the ship.

  
Sunday 21st (1) Moderate and hazy.
(6) At 6 light airs.
(11) Moderate and cloudy.

(8) Hazy weather with some rain.
(12) Strong gales and hazy with rain.

(1) Opened a cask of pork No. 182 contents 214 short **** a cask of beef No. 1678 contents 164 *** short in weight 10 pounds(?). Brought to and spoke with His Majesty's Ship Centaur whose captain came on board. Employed scraping the main ***.
(4) At 4 made sail, the Centaur in company.
(5) At 5 tacked.
(6) Cap de Barfleur W by S distance 6 leagues. Tacked and got down topgallant yards and reduced them being out of proportion for the sails. Took the 2nd reef in each topsail.
(9) At 9 sounded 34 fathoms rocky ground and brought to under the topsails.
(11) At 11 got topgallant yards across
(12) Made sail.

(4) Tacked and hauled up the foresail.
(6) Spoke an English sloop. Set the foresail.
(7) Cap de Barfleur SW by W distance 5 leagues.
(8) Close reefed the fore and mizen topsails.
(9) At 9 Cap de Barfleur SW by W distance 4 leagues. Wore ship. Bore down and cleared ship and beat to ***** to 2 sail **** which proved to be His Majesty's Ships Windsor and Isis. Sent **** with an officer on board the Windsor. Close reefed the main topsail and made sail. Handed for and mizen topsails.
(11) ½ past 11 wore. Got down topgallant yards.
(12) Set mainsail. At noon Cap de Barfleur SW by W distance 8 leagues.

 
Monday 22nd (1) Fresh gales and hazy.
(4) Strong gales and squally with rain.
(8) Ditto weather.
(10) Hard squalls with rain.
(12) Ditto weather.

(4) Strong gales and cloudy.
(9) Ditto weather.
(12 Ditto weather.

 (2) Set foresail.
(4) Tacked and handed fore topsail.
(8) Wore ship. The Windsor and Isis in company.
(9) Handed main topsail. (10) Set the mizen.

(2) Sounded 32 fathoms rocky ground.
(6) Dunnose N by W½W distance 6 leagues.
(8) Windsor and Isis in company.
(9) Hauled up the main topsail.
(10) Set the main topsail.
(11) Wore and spoke a ship from South Carolina having a jury main and mizen mast.
(12) Dunnose NW by N distance 4 leagues. Windsor and Isis in company.

 
Tuesday 23rd (1) Fresh gales and cloudy.
(4) Ditto weather.
(6) Hazy with rain.
(8) Moderate.
(12) Light airs with small rain.

(4) Moderate with rain.
(6) Fresh gales and squally with rain.
(12) Strong gales and cloudy.

 (2) Dunnose NW by N distance 7 leagues.
(6) Isis and Windsor in company. Wore ship.
(8) Set fore topsail.

(3) Let 1 reef out of each topsail.
(6) Close reefed the topsails.
(9) Wore. Split the fore top ** staysail. Took in fore and mizen topsails. Shifted from the **** to the *** 27 pigs of iron ballast. And filled in the fore hold 6 butts with salt water.
(11) At 11 in handing the main topsail John Connick and William Busling fell down from the topsail yards on the quarterdeck of which they soon after expired.
(12) At noon Cap de Barfleur WSW distance 7 leagues. Windsor and Isis in company.

 
Wednesday 24th (1) Fresh gales and cloudy.
(8) Moderate and cloudy.
(12) Very hard squalls with rain.

(1) Very hard gales and squally. (4) Ditto weather.
(8) At 8 ditto weather.
(12) Strong gales and hazy.

(2) Wore ship.
(3) Set main topsail.
(6) ½ past Cap de Barfleur W by S distance 7 leagues.
(7) Wore.
(8) Windsor and Isis in company.
(11) Wore ship.
(12) Wore.

(1) Handed main topsail.
(6) Cap de Barfleur SSW distance 4 or 5 leagues.
(7) Set the main topsail and wore. The Windsor and Isis kept on the other tack. (8) Cap de Barfleur S distance 4 leagues.
(12) Cap de Barfleur SSW distance 7 or 8 leagues. A ship on the lee bow which we judged to be an English twenty gun ship.

 
Thursday 25th (1) Strong gales and cloudy.
(4) More moderate.
(12) Light airs.

(8) Fresh gales and hazy.
(12) Strong gales and hazy with small rain.

 (1) Opened a cask of pork No. 865 contents 206 short 9 ***.
(4) Set the fore topsail and wore ship.
(6) Set mizen topsail.
(8) Tacked.
(12) Hauled up the mainsail.

(2) Let a reef out of each topsail. Got topgallant yards across.
(4) Set the main sail.
(6) Cap de Barfleur S by W distance 6 leagues. (8) Cap la Hague SW½W distance 5 leagues. Tacked. Close reefed fore and mizen topsails.
(10) At 10 **** 2nd reef to the main topsail.
(11) At 11 close **** ditto and handed fore and mizen topsails. Got down topgallant yards. Lowered down the mizen yards and **** the head of the sail.
(12) At noon wore. Cap la Hague ***** and Cherbourg Roads S by W distance 7 or 8 leagues. Saw several ships laying there.

  
day        
day        

 

April 1756.

 
Week
Days		 Month
Day		 Weather Remarks Notes
Thursday 1st Apr.      
Friday 2nd      
Saturday 3rd      
Sunday 4th      
Monday 5th (1) Fresh gales and cloudy.

(12) Moderate and cloudy.

 (6) Brought to and examined a Spanish snow from (space) bound to Bilbao.
(8) ½ past made sail.
(10) Brought to on the starboard tack. When I went on board the Cruizer cutter to take command of her with men, arms and ammunition.
(12) In company with Eagle, Falmouth, Greyhound and Ferret ships.		  
Tuesday 6th (1) Moderate and cloudy.

(4) Ditto weather.
(11) Light airs and clear.
(12) Light airs and calm.

 (1) ½ past made sail and to the south.
(6) In company as before.
(10) The Ferret made a signal to stand in shore when she and us parted company with the Eagle, Falmouth and Greyhound.

(6) Île de Batz SW distance 7 or 8 miles. The Eagle in sight.
(10) At 10 gave chase to 2 sail to the Eastward.
(11) At 11 left off chase they having got in shore. Île de Batz W by N distance 4 miles, entrance of Morlaix River SW distance 3 miles.
(12) At noon Île de Batz W by S distance about 2 miles. In company with the Ferret. 4 sail in sight. Saw a ship laying within Île de Batz which seemed to be a pretty large one.

  
Wednesday 7th (2) Light airs and calm.
(7) Light winds and cloudy weather.

(2) Light airs.
(8) At 8 light breeze and hazy.
(12) Light airs rain and hazy.

(2) At 2 close in with Île de Batz distance 1 mile hoisted out the boat and tacked a head.
(7) Hoisted her in again. Île de Batz SW distance 5 or 6 miles. Standing to the Eastward.

(2) Tacked.
(8) Gave chase to a sail to the Eastward per signal as bid the Ferret ** the chase proved to be the John and Robert(?) cutter from Guernsey with **** ****. Tacked and ****. In company with the Ferret and John and Robert cutter.

 
Thursday 8th (1) Moderate and hazy with rain.
(4) Fresh gales and hazy.
(8) Moderate and cloudy. From 8 to 11 **** NE by N. From 11 to 5 am ENE. Fresh gales and cloudy.

(12) Strong gales and hazy.

(1) Standing to the south.
(6) Saw 3 sail bearing W by N. Judged them to be the Eagle and the ships under her command.
(7) At 7 Île de Batz WSW distance 4 leagues. The ships we saw to the west bore and ****. Standing to the Northward.
(8) At 8 tacked and stand(?) off.

(4) Tacked and gave chase to a sail to the Southward with the Ferret. The Ferret fired a shot and brought to the chase(?). *** **** Westward the chase being a brig from Guernsey bound for Newfoundland. Brought her head to the Westward.
(9) At 9 made sail and hove.
(12) At noon Les Triagoz bore S by W distance ** miles. Tacked and stood off.

  
Friday 9th (2) Strong gales and cloudy.
(4) Ditto gale and hazy.
(6) Very hard storm of wind and rain. **** ***
(12) Strong gales.

(2) Ditto weather.
(8) Moderate and clear.
(12) Moderate and cloudy.

(2) Handed the mainsail (?) and **** the trysail.
(4) At 4 Triagoz S by W distance 3 miles.
(6) At 6 to **** in the jib. Bent the storm jib(?) *** great sea from the north.
(10) Tacked ****
(12) Wore.

(2) Wore.
(8) At ½ past tacked. Saw 3 sail Westward we took to be Dutch *****. Spoke with a sloop from Bristol bound to Guernsey. Spoke with a Dutch **** from Sta**** bound to Amsterdam and having lost his mast *** ***. Unbent the trysail and set mainsail **** in storm jib and set the other. Saw a ship to Westward. We(?) took her to be a man of war. 7 seven sail in sight. (12) Les Triagoz SSW distance 3 miles.

  
Saturday 10th (2) Light winds and cloudy and sea from the NNW.
(4) Moderate.
(8) Ditto weather.

(5) Fresh gales and cloudy.
(8) Strong gale and hazy with rain.
(10) Moderate and hazy.
(12) Fresh gales and cloudy.

(8) Tacked and brought to.

(1) At 1 wore.
(5) At 5 made sail in shore. Spoke with a Dutch lugger(??) from Southsacksea(??) bound to Bordeaux.
(8) Tacked.
(10) Tacked.
(11) At 11 saw 5 sail to the Southward. Unbent the **** and set **** ****. And stood towards ****
(12) At noon joined **** being His Majestys Ships Eagle, Falmouth, Greyhound. Went on Eagle(??).Île de Batz SSW distance 7 leagues.

  
Sunday 11th (2) Fresh gales and cloudy.
(5) At 5 strong gales.
(6) Strong gales and squally with showers of hail *** *** ***.
(12) Ditto weather.

(4) Ditto weather.
(6) Ditto weather.
(12) Moderate and cloudy.

 (2) Got from on board the Eagle casks of ***, a **** and other provisions. ½ past 2 made sail to the Westward. *** the John and Robert cutter *** parted company with the Ferret.
(5) **** mainsail and set trysail.
(6) At 6 Tacked. Île de Batz SSW distance 9 leagues (?).
(12) Tacked.

(6) John and Robert cutter in company.
(8) Tacked *** ***. . Île de Batz SW by W distance 3 or 4 leagues. 10 *** *** away **** **** and ***
(12) Île de Batz SW distance 4 leagues. **** *** *** standing in shore. The John and Robert in company.

  
Monday 12th (2) Fresh gales and cloudy.
(4) Strong gales and squally.
(6) Very heavy squalls with rain.
(12) Ditto weather.

(8) Ditto weather and a great sea.
(12) More moderate but a great sea.

 (2) At 2 tacked and stood off.
(5) At 5 tacked in shore.
(6) Tacked (?) off. ½ past tacked in shore. Took **** mainsail and set trysail.
(7) At 7 tacked off. Île de Batz SE by S distance 2 miles.
(12) Tacked.

(8) Tacked. Île de Batz ESE distance 4 leagues and Aber Wrac'h rocks WSW distance about 4 leagues. **** **** before ** **** of Aber Wrac'h and **** of about **** from **** through with **** there are *** *** to go into the haven(?).
(11) ½ past 11 *** *** shore. Île de Batz E by S distance 5 leagues.
(12) Brought to her head off.

  
Tuesday 13th (2) Moderate and cloudy but with a great westerly sea.
(8) Hard squalls with hail and rain.
(12) Ditto weather.

(6) Squally and cloudy weather.
(12) Moderate and cloudy **** with showers of rain.

 (2) *** *** *** **** John and Robert cutter *** *** *** Île de Batz SE by E distance 5 leagues. Lay to *** ***.
(6) At 6 wore and stood off.
(8) At 8 wore *** *** *** stood off.
(12) Wore and stood in.

(6) Wore and lay to **** *** off *** Île de Batz E by S distance 5 or 6 leagues and Aber Wrac'h rocks W by N 2 or 3 miles.
(10) Saw a sail to the Northward. Gave chase as *** John and Robert. ½ past10 **** examined chase who proved a Dutch ship from Boroox(?) bound to Morlaix. ***
(12) Île de Batz SE by S distance 5 leagues. Laying to her head in.

  
Wednesday 14th (2) Light airs and calm. ½ past 2 Ditto weather.
(4) Ditto weather.
(5) Light airs and cloudy with showers of rain.
(7) Fresh gales and cloudy.

(6) Light airs and calm.

(2) ½ past 2 saw a sail **** **** standing to **** gave him chase.
(4) At 4 ***** ***** ***** *** **** **** Ditto **** *****. Made clear for engaging.
(5) At 5 bore down and spoke with him being His Majesty's Ship Gibraltar. ½ past made sail **** shore.
(7) At 7 tacked and lay to her head off. Île de Batz E½N distance 3 or 4 leagues.
(12) **** **** ***** **** ****

(8) ***** ***** *** **** **** ****

  
Thursday 15th (2) Light airs.
(7) Moderate and cloudy wind at East.
(12) Strong gales and hazy with rain.

(12) Moderate and clear.

 (2) Laying to.
(4) Made sail for the Île de Batz and stood to the **** NE(?) **** island off(?) Ruskof about a mile. Saw come out of Ruskof a small vessel with sloop sails and ***** to ply to windward(?).
(5) At 5 fired a gun for the John and Robert to bear down to speak with him. Made sail to get to windward of the island in order to meet with the sloop that put out of Ruskof. After not seeing him bore away.
(7) At 7 brought to her head to south as did the John and Robert.
(12) At 12 night **** **** **** and stood (?) in.

(6) Saw come out of Morlaix one which we took to be a French man of war ***** away to the westward. The other we took to be Dutch men (?) Ditto. Made sail to speak with them.
(7) At ½ past 7 fired two (?) shots to bring them to and examine them being Dutch **** from Morlaix bound to Bordeaux who gave us an account that the other ship was a Spaniard bound to Lisbon.
(8) At ½ past 8 saw 5 sail in the offing. Made sail to speak with them.
(10) At 10 joined them being His Majesty's Ships Falmouth, Greyhound, Isis, Gibraltar and Ferret sloop giving chase **** *****. Made sail after them.
(12) At noon ***** **** of chase **** being the Spanish ship above mentioned(?). Aber Wrac'h rocks *** distance 2 miles.

 
Friday 16th (2) Moderate and cloudy.
(5) Fresh gales and cloudy.
(7) Fresh gales and cloudy weather.
(9) Strong gales and squally. Wind at SW.

(4) Ditto weather.
(8) Ditto weather.
(12) Ditto weather with showers of rain.

(2) Hoisted out a boat and went on board the Falmouth being **** **** the Eagle being gone for Plymouth. Received from on board the Falmouth 10 days provisions.
(4) At 4 hoisted in the boat and made sail to the Eastward in company with Falmouth, Isis, Gibraltar, Greyhound and Ferret sloop.
(5) At 5 a signal for tacking in general. And parted company with the fleet.
< (7) At 7 brought to head to the Eastward. Île de Batz at W by N distance 3 miles. ½ past saw a sail to the Eastward. Gave her chase.
(9) At 9 fired 3 shots and brought to the chase being a Dutch **** from Bordeaux bound for ****. Handed the mainsail and brought to the trysail and stood off.

(4) At 4 tacked.
(8) Les Sept Îles W by S 3 or 4 leagues. Tacked.
(12) Les Sept Îles SSW 6 leagues. /font>

  
Saturday 17th (2) Strong gales with hard squalls and rain.
(6) Ditto weather.

(6) Ditto weather.
(12) Squally with rain.

 (2) Standing in shore.
(4) Tacked. Roches Douvres ESE distance 3 leagues.
(6) Tacked. Roches Douvres ESE distance 3 leagues.
(10) Tacked.
(12) Tacked.

(6) Tacked. Roches Douvres SSE distance 3 leagues.
(12) Guernsey E by S distance 6 leagues. Tacked.

Roches Douvres
Sunday 18th (2) Strong gales and squally with rain.
(10) Ditto weather.

(12) Fresh gales and cloudy.

 (2) At 2 bore away for Guernsey. Bearing ENE distance 5 or 6 leagues. (6) At 6 came to anchor in Guernsey road. Found riding here one of His Majestys **** ****.
(8) Hauled in to **** in order to swank(?) her bottom being leaky.
(10) Anchored in the road the Augustus's(?) tender

(6) Sailed hence the Africa tender. Came in a ship from Portsmouth.

Guernsey
Monday 19th (1) Light winds and calm. (9) At 9am hauled out of harbour and put to sea.
(12) At noon off of St. Martins Point.		  
day        
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Links to other pages

John Robson's Captain Cook pages Cook on the Eagle
The Eagle log for 1755 The Eagle log for July to December 1756