Cook in Newfoundland

Part 1: January to June.

Introduction

Grenville muster for 1766

The crew on board the Grenville for 1766 was recorded on that year's Muster Roll. The crew totalled 20 men in addition to the Master and his Mate. As well as Cook, nine men returned from the previous year's survey. William Parker was Cook's deputy again and took responsibility for sailing the Grenville and writing up the log.

Cook, James. Master and Surveyor. (had previously sailed in 1765).
Asget, John. AB. Joined at St. John's.
Brown, Michael. AB. Joined at Deptford.
Charlton, John. Master's servant. (had previously sailed in 1765).
Command, James. AB. Joined at Deptford.
Cunningham, John. AB. (had previously sailed in 1765).
Dunn, John. AB. Joined at Deptford.
Dyer, William. AB. Joined at St. John's.
Flower, Peter. AB. (had previously sailed in 1765).
Gathman, Francis. Midshipman. (had previously sailed in 1765).
Gilliard, William. AB. Joined at Deptford.
Griffiths, James. AB. (had previously sailed in 1765).
Lamb, William. AB. (had previously sailed in 1765).
Lungley, Nathaniel. AB. (had previously sailed in 1765).
Lyon, Stephen. AB. Joined at Deptford.
Parker, William. Master's mate and Assistant Surveyor. (had previously sailed in 1765).
Rarden, Timothy. AB. Joined at Deptford.
Smith, Thomas. Carpenter's mate. (had previously sailed in 1765).
Stringer, Zachariah. AB. Joined at Woolwich.
Turner , Robert. AB. Joined at Deptford.
Williams, John. AB. Joined at Woolwich.
Willoughby, John. AB. Joined at Deptford.

John Brown joined at Woolwich on 28 November 1766 near the end of the tour of duty and was discharged on 31 March 1767 as unserviceable. He therefore only sailed from Woolwich to Deptford.
Samuel Savage was discharged into sick quarters on 05 May 1766 without sailing.

The following men ran in Deptford before the Grenville sailed:
Brown, Peter.
Carroll, Michael.
Dench, William.
Drake, Michael.
Every, Edward.
Maddon, Patrick.
Wallis, James.

 

Remarks etc on board His Majesty's Schooner the Grenville, James Cook Master, between 01 January 1766 and 24 November 1766.

January 1766.

At the beginning of 1766, the schooner Grenville was moored by Deptford Dockyard on the south bank of the Thames, downstream from the centre of London. Cook was living at home in Mile End with his family. He was occupied with drawing up the charts, the sailing directions and other reports from his time surveying the Burin Peninsula, Fortune Bay and Bay d'Espoir on Newfoundland's south coast during the summer of 1765. The following remarks from the Grenville's log book would have probably been recorded by William Parker, the Master's mate. No repairs or modifications were made through January so the remarks are virtually all concerned with the weather.

Please click here for the second part of 1765.

 

Week
Days
Month
Day
Winds Weather Remarks Notes
144
Wednesday
1st Jan.1765 ENE The first part strong gales. The middle and later light breezes and cloudy. At the Catherines Yacht Mooring off Deptford Yard. The winter weather conditions in Newfoundland prevented any surveying being carried out and necessitated Cook bringing the Grenville back to Britain. It spent most of the winter laid up by Deptford Dockyard.
Thursday 2nd ditto Ditto weather. AM Received on board butter and cheese and one hogshead of beer.  
Friday 3rd NNE The major part light airs. Received provisions on board.  
Saturday 4th NNW The first and middle parts clear weather. The later hazy. Tarred the masts and bowsprit.  
Sunday 5th W by S Ditto weather with some rain.    
Monday 6th NNE The first part moderate and hazy. The middle and later clear.    
Tuesday 7th NE The first part snowy weather. The later fresh breezes and cloudy.    
Wednesday 8th NW The major part fresh breezes with a thick fog.    
Thursday 9th NE The first part snowy weather. The middle and later hard frost.    
Friday 10th ENE Ditto weather. Unbent the best bower cable.  
Saturday 11th ditto Ditto weather.    
Sunday 12th NNE The major part fresh gales and hazy.    
Monday 13th ditto Ditto weather. Mustered by the Clerk of the Cheque.  
Tuesday 14th NW The first and middle parts fresh gales and cloudy. The later light airs.    
Wednesday 15th WNW Ditto weather. Employed making points and gaskets.  
Thursday 16th W Fresh breezes and fair. Employed as before.  
Friday 17th calm Ditto weather. Employed making mats for the shrouds. Mats.
Saturday 18th NW The first and later parts small rain.    
Sunday 19th ESE The major part moderate and clear weather.    
Monday 20th ditto Thick foggy weather. Mustered by the Clerk of the Cheque.  
Tuesday 21st SE Ditto weather. Employed making mats and gaskets.  
Wednesday 22nd ENE Hard frost. Employed as before.  
Thursday 23rd ditto The first part light airs.The middle and later strong gales with some rain.    
Friday 24th WSW The first part ditto weather. The later moderate and clear.    
Saturday 25th WSW The first part strong gales. The later moderate and clear.    
Sunday 26th ditto Ditto weather.    
Monday 27th NE The major part moderate and cloudy. Mustered by the Clerk of the Cheque.  
Tuesday 28th ditto Hard frost. Employed on several occasions.  
Wednesday 29th S The major part strong gales and some rain.    
Thursday 30th ditto Ditto weather.    
Friday 31st WNW
W by S
The first part strong gales. The later moderate and cloudy. Employed making points. Received on board 2 hogsheads of beer. Returned empty casks.  

February 1766.

The schooner Grenville remained moored by Deptford Dockyard throughout the month of February 1766 with no remarkable events reported. Once again the state of the weather is the most frequently reported fetaure in the the log. At the end of the month, preparations were made to move the vessel into the dock itself for repairs and modifications.

Correspondence

Hugh Palliser to Admiralty (Secretary Philip Stephens) (03 February 1766) Adm. 1/470.

                London, 03 February, 1766.
    Sir,
       Mr. Cook, appointed by the Right Hon'ble my Lords Com-
missioners of the Admiralty to survey the sea-coasts of Newfound-
land under my direction, having finish'd his chart of that part of
the south coast of Newfoundland adjacent to the islands of St.
Pierre and Miquelow, including the said islands, upon a large
scale of one inch to a mile, you will herewith receive the said
chart, which be pleas'd to lay before the Right Hon'ble my Lords
Commissioners of the Admiralty.
       He having also the last year deliver'd in to the Board his survey
of the north part of Newfoundland upon the same scale, and
having now prepar'd a chart of that part with the opposite part of
the coast of Labradore, including the island and streights of Bell
[Belle] Isle, likewise another of the above-mention'd survey of
part of the south coast of Newfoundland, both upon a proper
scale to be usefull to the trade and navigation of His Majesty's
subjects, as a publication thereof, I am of opinion, will be a great
encouragement to new adventurers on the fisherys upon these
coasts, be pleas'd to move their Lordships to permit Mr. Cook
to publish the same.
            I am, &c.,
               Hugh Palliser.

Endorsed: Their Lordships are pleased to comply with the request,
By permitting Mr. Cook to publish them.

Week
Days
Month
Day
Winds Weather Remarks Notes
Saturday 1st ditto Ditto weather. Employed as before.  
Sunday 2nd N Fresh gales and clear weather.    
Monday 3rd ditto Light breezes and fair weather. Mustered by the Clerk of the Cheque.  
Tuesday 4th NNE Ditto weather.    
Wednesday 5th ENE The first part light airs. The middle and later strong gales.    
Thursday 6th ditto Ditto weather.    
Friday 7th E by S Light airs and hazy weather.    
Saturday 8th ditto Moderate and clear weather. Employed as before.  
Sunday 9th W Ditto weather.    
Monday 10th calm   Mustered by the Clerk of the Cheque.  
Tuesday 11th WSW Light airs and clear weather.    
Wednesday 12th ditto Moderate gales and fair weather.    
Thursday 13th NE by N The first and middle parts light airs. The later strong gales and hazy.    
Friday 14th ditto Ditto weather.    
Saturday 15th SE The major part fresh gales and hazy.    
Sunday 16th ditto The first part light airs with small rain. The later moderate and clear.    
Monday 17th SW Thick hazy weather. Mustered by the Clerk of the Cheque.  
Tuesday 18th NE by N The first part ditto weather. The middle and later moderate and cloudy.    
Wednesday 19th W by N Ditto weather. Employed occasionally.  
Thursday 20th W The major part fresh gales and hazy weather.    
Friday 21st ditto Ditto weather.    
Saturday 22nd NE Little wind and cloudy weather.    
Sunday 23rd NNW The first part ditto weather. The middle and later fresh gales    
Monday 24th NW Fresh breezes and cloudy. Employed getting the anchors and cables on shore.  
Tuesday 25th ditto Ditto weather. Employed getting the rigging on shore.  
Wednesday 26th W by N The first and middle parts fresh gales. The later moderate and clear. Employed as before.  
Thursday 27th ditto Ditto weather. Employed cleaning the vessel for the dock.  
Friday 28th ENE Moderate and fair. Got out the bowsprit and shifted the iron ballast out of the after hold into the main hold, to bring the vessel more on an even keel. Draught of water forward 6 ft 8 in; aft 8 ft 7 in.  

March 1766.

The schooner Grenville was moved into the Deptford Dockyard proper on 02 March and remained there undergoing repairs until 22 March when it was returned to the yacht's moorings nearby. All the while repairs and maintenance were being carried out on timbers, the sails and rigging. At the end of the month, stores began to be taken on board in readiness for sailing.

Week
Days
Month
Day
Winds Weather Remarks Notes
Saturday 1st NE Fresh gales and hazy. Employed carrying the rigging into the store house, it being surveyed.  
Sunday 2nd NNW Ditto weather. At 4 PM came into dock.  
Monday 3rd ditto

calm
The major part moderate and clear weather. AM Employed fitting the rigging. The carpenters employed sinking the deck forward.  
Tuesday 4th calm The first part moderate and clear. The later calm. Employed as before.  
Wednesday 5th W Fresh breezes and hazy. Got the topmasts up. The carpenters employed as before.  
Thursday 6th WSW Ditto weather. Employed getting the yards across and reefing the rigging.  
Friday 7th WNW The first and later parts light airs and clear. The middle foggy. Employed as before.  
Saturday 8th ditto Ditto weather. Employed as before. Received on board 2 hogsheads of beer and 1 barrel of pork.  
Sunday 9th W by S Moderate and clear weather.    
Monday 10th ditto Ditto weather. Employed as before. Mustered by the Clerk of the Cheque.  
Tuesday 11th N by E The first and middle parts fresh breezes and clear. The later foggy. Got up yards and topmasts.  
Wednesday 12th ditto Ditto weather. Employed as before.  
Thursday 13th NE Moderate and clear weather.    
Friday 14th WNW The major part fresh gales and fair weather. Employed as before.  
Saturday 15th ditto Ditto weather. Tarred the rigging and scraped the sides.  
Sunday 16th NE Fresh gales and cloudy weather.    
Monday 17th ENE The first part ditto weather. The middle and later strong gales and hazy.    
Tuesday 18th ditto Hard frost. Employed scraping and paying the masts. Painters employed on board.  
Wednesday 19th SE Fresh gales with rain.    
Thursday 20th SSW The major part moderate and cloudy weather. Employed ratting the lower shrouds. Received on board 2 barrels of beer.  
Friday 21st ditto Ditto weather. Employed as before.  
Saturday 22nd SWW
SW
The first part moderate and cloudy weather. The middle and later fresh gales and squally with some rain. At 11 AM came out of the dock and took in the former yacht's moorings. Draught of water forewatd 7 feet; aft 8 feet.  
Sunday 23rd ditto Ditto weather with hard showers of rain. Got the iron ballast out of the main hold into the after hold and tow pigs into the bread room.  
Monday 24th ditto
W
The first and middle parts ditto weather. The later moderate and cloudy. Employed setting up the stays and trimming the ballast in the main hold ready for getting in the ground xxxxx. The carpenters employed on board.  
Tuesday 25th W Moderate and cloudy weather. Employed about the rigging.  
Wednesday 26th WNW Ditto weather. Received on board 14 barrels of beer and 12 empty hogsheads for water casks. Returned all the empty casks.  
Thursday 27th NNE
N by W
The first and middle parts fresh gales and thick snowy weather. The later more moderate and clear. Stowed the water casks and filled them.  
Friday 28th NW Ditto weather. Received on board 30 bags of bread, 2 puncheons 1 hogshead pork; and 3 puncheons 1 barrel of beef. Started the bread into the bread room and returned 30 empty bread bags. started (?)
Saturday 29th SW The major part fresh gales and hazy with some rain. The people employed stowing away the bread casks and ratting the foretopmast and futtock shrouds. Futtocks.
Sunday 30th SSW The first and middle parts strong gales with much rain. The later fresh gales and cloudy. PM Employed as before.  
Monday 31st ditto
W
Ditto weather. Employed getting on board the boatswain's and carpenter's stores.  

April 1766.

During the early part of the month of April, the Grenville was prepared for crossing back to Newfoundland to resume the survey of Newfoundland. The schooner left Deptford on 20 April and headed down the Thames via Woolwich where it received its ordnance suppies. Cook reached the Downs on the 28th and began sailing down the English Channel. At the end of the month, the Grenville was off Beachey Head on the Sussex coast.

Week
Days
Month
Day
Winds Weather Remarks Notes
Tuesday 1st ditto The major part strong gales with some showers of rain. Employed stowing away the officers' stores.  
Wednesday 2nd SW Ditto weather. Received on board all the sails and anchors. AM Employed taking the cables out of store. Received on board other stores.  
Thursday 3rd ditto The major part hard rain. PM Received on board the cables. Employed scraping and cleaning below.  
Friday 4th ditto The major part little wind with small rain. PM Employed mending the points, Ropebands and earings of the sails. AM Employed bending the sails. Received the anchors on board. Ropebands
Earings.
Saturday 5th WSW

WNW
Light airs and cloudy. PM Bent all the sails and furled them. AM Employed paying the sides with varnish of pine, and the binds with tar. Scraped the foremast and payed it. Received fresh beef on board.  
Sunday 6th NW Ditto weather. PM Employed as before.  
Monday 7th N Moderate breezes and clear weather. Employed lacing on mats and preparing for the sea. Lacing.
Tuesday 8th ditto Ditto weather. Employed as above. Bent the small bower cable.  
Wednesday 9th NNE Fresh breezes and fair weather. Employed balling up the spunyarns, etc. Balling the spunyarns.
Thursday 10th ditto Moderate and fair. Employed making boats tenders.  
Friday 11th ditto
NE
Ditto weather. Employed as before. Draught of water foreward 7 ft 2½ inches; aft 9 ft 2 inches. Difference 1 ft 11½ inches.  
Saturday 12th N by E The first part moderate and clear weather. The middle and later strong gales with some rain.    
Sunday 13th NNW The major part fresh gales and hazy. Employed occasionally.  
Monday 14th ditto Ditto weather. Mustered by the Clerk of the Cheque.  
Tuesday 15th ENE The first and later parts fresh breezes and cloudy. The middle rain. Received on board 8 barrels of beer and returned 8 empty casks.  
Wednesday 16th SE Moderate and cloudy weather. Employed fitting the boats gripes. Gripes.
Thursday 17th SSW Ditto weather. Received on board half a chaldron of coals. Chaldron.
Friday 18th WSW The major part fresh gales with some showers of rain.    
Saturday 19th W by N The first part ditto weather. The middle and later fresh gales and hazy. Bent the buoy rope. Buoy rope.
Sunday 20th WNW Ditto weather. AM Came on board the pilot, at ½ past 10 slipped the moorings and made sail for Woolwich.  
Monday 21st NW
SSW
The major part fresh gales and clear weather. At 1PM came to with the small bower and moored with the kedge anchor off the Warren.
AM Received the ordnance stores on board.
Kedge
Woolwich Warren.
Tuesday 22nd SSE
ESE
Fresh gales and cloudy. At 11 AM unmoored and hove short. At 12 weighed and came to sail.  
Wednesday 23rd SE Ditto weather. At 5 PM came to and moored off Gravesend. At 8 AM unmoored. At 11 received on board half a barrel of powder.  
Thursday 24th E
variable
The major part fresh gales and cloudy. At ½ past 12 PM weighed and came to sail. At 7 anchored in 7 fathoms water off Sheerness, the Garrison bearing SW, distance 1 mile. At 6 AM moored with the kedge anchor. Sheerness Garrison.
Friday 25th ESE
variable
calm
The first and middle parts fresh gales and cloudy. The later calm. AM Sent the boat with the men to Chatham to be paid their wages to the 30th September 1765. Chatham.
1765.
Saturday 26th E
calm
W
Fresh airs and clear incliable to calm. At 6 PM the boat returned with the people. Unmoored ½ past 1 AM weighed and came to sail. At 9 anchored upon the warpe in 4 fathoms. Draught of water foreward 7 ft 4 in; aft 9 ft 6½ inches. Warping.
Sunday 27th SSE
NW
The major part light breezes and cloudy. At 4 PM weighed and at 10 anchored in Wascot Bay in 5 fathoms water. At half past 5 AM weighed and came to sail. Westgate Bay.
Monday 28th ESE
NNWW
The first and middle parts light airs and cloudy with some small rain. At 1 came to an anchor in the Downs in 6 fathoms water. At 6 weighed and came to sail. At 8 South Foreland NNE. At 12 Dungeness NW distance 1¼ miles.  
Tuesday 29th NNW
W

W by S
WSW
(1) Moderate breezes and fair weather.
(8) Fresh breezes and cloudy.

(4) Light airs and cloudy.
(12) Light airs.

(3) Tacked.
(4) Dungeness NW½W, distance 2 miles.
(7) Tacked, in 1st reef topsails.
(8) Fairleigh NW½W, distance 3 miles. Tacked sounded 18 fathoms.

(2) ½ past tacked.
½ past tacked.
(6) ½ past tacked. Fairleigh NW½W 1½ miles. Sounded 6 fathoms.
(11) Anchored in 22 fathoms water. Fairleigh NW by N.

Fairlight.
Wednesday 30th   (1) Light airs.
(6) Ditto weather.
(8) Ditto weather.
(12) Moderate breezes and fair weather.

(8) Thick fog.
(12) Foggy and calm.

(2) ½ past weighed.
(4) Fairleigh N by W 2 leagues. Set studding sails.
(6) Fairleigh N 5 miles.

(4) Beachy Head NE½E 3 miles.

 

May 1766.

At the beginning of the month, the Grenville was working its way down the English Channel on its way back to Newfoundland. The Scilly Isles, off Cornwall, were passed on the 6th and from 07 until 28 May the vessel was at sea out of sight of land. On the 29th of May, Cape Race, the southeasternmost point of the Newfoundland, was sighted through the icebergs. Cook worked his way along the south coast past St.-Pierre Miquelon.

Week
Days
Month
Day
Winds Weather Remarks Notes
Thursday 1st calm

ESE
E by N

E
(1) Foggy weather.
(4) Something clear.
(6) Moderate breezes.
(8) Ditto weather.
(12) Fresh breezes and cloudy weather.

(4) Fresh gales and squally with hard rain.
(8) Fresh gales with rain.
(12) Ditto weather.

(4) Beachy Head ENE 2 leagues.
(6) Set studding sails. Shoreham Valley N by E 2 or 3 leagues.
(8)Dunnose NW 7 leagues.
(12) Hauled down the studding sails.

(6) Set studding sails.

Shoreham.
Friday 2nd E by S
SE

S by E
SE
(1) Fresh breezes and hazy with rain.
(4) Light breezes and hazy.
(8) Light airs and thick fog.
(12) Ditto weather.

(4) Light airs and hazy.
(8) Moderate breezes and cloudy.
(12) Ditto weather.

(8) Hauled down the studding sails.

(4) Saw the land.
(8) Start Point NW distance 4 leagues.
(12) Start Point N by E, 4 leagues.

 
Saturday 3rd ESE

SE

S by E
S by W
(1) Fresh breezes and fair weather.
(4) Ditto with small rain.
(6) Fresh gales and squally with small rain.
(12) Fresh gales and cloudy weather.

(4) Ditto weather.
(8) Moderate breezes and hazy.
(12) Ditto weather.

(5) Hauled down the studding sails.
(6) In first topsails (?)

(2) Tacked.
(8) Tacked.

 
Sunday 4th SSW
S by W
S
SSW

W by N
(1) Moderate gales and cloudy weather.
(4) Fresh gales and hazy with small rain.
(8) Ditto weather.
(12) Strong gales and squally with rain.

(8) Fresh gales and squally with rain.
(12) Ditto weather.

(3) Spoke a ship from Carolina bound to Amsterdam.
(12) Close reefed and handed the topsails; and took 2 reefs in the mainsail and set it.

(5) Set the topsails and let one reef out of each, and let the reefs out of the mainsail.
(10) ½ past saw the land.
(12) Scilly lighthouse N by E¼E, distance 2 leagues.

Carolina.
Amsterdam.
Scilly lighthouse.
Monday 5th NW by W

WNW
NW by W
(1) Fresh gales and cloudy weather.
(4) Strong gales.
(8) Ditto weather.
(12) More moderate and fair.

(3) Fresh gales and squally with rain.
(4) Moderate gales and cloudy weather.
(7) Moderate and clear.
(12) Ditto weather.

(3) Close reefed and handed the topsails.
(4) St Agnes, Scilly, N by E 5 leagues.

(1) Set foretopsail.
(6) Set the maintopsail.
(7) Let the reef out of the mainsail, and one reef out of the foretopsail.
(12) Lat. Obsd. 49º 00' N.

St. Agnes.
Tuesday 6th NW

S by E
S
SW
(1) Moderate breezes with a large sea from the west.
(4) Ditto weather.

(1) Moderate breezes and fair weather.
(4) Fresh gales and cloudy.
(12) Fresh gales and hazy.

(1)Unbent the cables and stowed the anchors in the forecastle.
(7) Sounded 79 fathoms, coarse grey sand with small stones.
(12) Let the reefs out of the topsails.

(10) Double reefed the topsails.
(12)Lat. Osbd. 48º 50' N.

 

From Wednesday 07 May to Wednesday 28 May the Grenville was on the open sea crossing the Atlantic out of sight of land. The log only records weather details and sailing operations. On Thursday 29 May, Newfoundland came into sight.

Day Date Course Distance Latitude Longitude
made
Bearings and Distance
at noon
Wednesday 7th N86ºW 73 miles 48º 55' N 3º 48' Scilly N57ºE 59 leagues
Thursday 8th N65ºW 57 miles 49º 19' N 5º 08' Scilly N79ºE 67 leagues
Friday 9th N87ºW 35 miles 49º 21' N 6º 02' Scilly N81ºE 78 leagues
Saturday 10th S69ºW 108 miles 48º 42' N 8º 35' Scilly N78ºE 113 leagues
Sunday 11th S25ºW 85 miles 47º 25' N 9º 29' Scilly N68ºE 138 leagues
Monday 12th S60ºW 85 miles 46º 42' N 11º 17' Scilly N66ºE 162 leagues
Tuesday 13th S76ºW 26 miles 46º 35' N 11º 53' Scilly N76ºE 170 leagues
Wednesday 14th S83ºW 103 miles 46º 48' N 14º 18' Scilly N72ºE 200 leagues
Thursday 15th S71ºW 86 miles 47º 16' N 16º 17' Scilly N76ºE 225 leagues
Friday 16th WSW 88 miles 46º 43' N 18º 17' Scilly N73ºE 253 leagues
Saturday 17th S22ºW 65 miles 45º 42' N 18º 52' Scilly N77ºE 268 leagues
Sunday 18th N60ºW 20 miles 45º 52' N 19º 17' Scilly N72ºE 272 leagues
Monday 19th N80ºW 128 miles 46º 45' N 22º 19' Scilly N76ºE 310 leagues
Tuesday 20th N89ºW 100 miles 46º 17' N 24º 43' Scilly N78ºE 342 leagues
Wednesday 21st N86ºW 160 miles 46º 29' N 28º 33' Scilly N79ºE 390 leagues
Thursday 22nd WS only 137 miles 46º 28' N 31º 51' Scilly N80ºE 437 leagues
Friday 23rd N55ºW 20 miles 46º 39' N 32º 16' Scilly N80ºE 442 leagues
Saturday 24th S85ºW 96 miles 46º 35' N 36º 49' Scilly N83ºE 505 leagues
Sunday 25th W 130 miles 46º 35' N 39º 58' Scilly N82ºE 536 leagues
Monday 26th W 70 miles 46º 35' N 41º 40' Scilly N83ºE 558 leagues
Tuesday 27th          
Wednesday 28th W 27 miles 46º 35' N 42º 19' Scilly N83ºE 567 leagues

Week
Days
Month
Day
Winds Weather Remarks Notes
Thursday 29th   (1) Moderate breezes and foggy weather.
(4) Ditto weather.
(6) Fresh breezes and foggy with sleat.
(8) Ditto weather.
(10) Fresh breezes and hazy.

(8) Fresh gales and hard squalls.
(12) Moderate breezes and cloudy.

(4)Sounded 56 fathoms, large gravel stones.
(8) Sounded 93 fathoms, fine ouzey sand.
(10) Took a reef in each topsail and sounded 98 fathoms.
(12) Brought to and sounded 36 fathoms. ½ past very thick with small rain.

(1) ½ past cleared up, saw the land, found that we were very near the shore, wore and run off.
(3) Brought to. ½ past 3 wore and made sail. Saw many islands of ice along the coast.
At (4) Cape Race NE by N, ¾ of a mile. Let the reefs out of the topsails and set studding sails.
(7) Hauled down the studding sails.
(8) Hauled down the jib and took 2 reefs in the foretopsail, and one in the maintopsail. E Cape Pine SE by E, West Cape Pine NNE. Sounded 10 fathoms, rocky gound. Cape St. Marys NW.
(12) Cape St. Marys NNW 4 leagues. Sounded 28 fathoms, rocky ground.

Icebergs.
Friday 30th   (1) Light breezes and fair weather.
(6) Fresh breezes and fair.

(5) Light airs and cloudy.

(3) ½ past Cape St. Marys NNE, about 3 or 4 leagues.
(4) Single reefed the topsails. Sounded 33 fathoms, broken shells.
(5) Cape St. Marys ENE¼E. Sounded 45 fathoms, broken shells.
(6) Cape St. Marys E¼N. Sounded 53 fathoms, broken shells and brown sand.
(9) ½ past sounded no ground with 145 fathom.
(12) Sounded no ground with 83 fathom line.

(3) Sounded 50 fathoms, clam shells and grey sand. Cape Chapeau Rouge NNW½W.
(5) Chapeau Rouge NNW 3 leagues
(12) Tacked. Outer Lawn Island NW distance 2 miles. Soundings from 45 to 28 fathoms.

 
Saturday 31st   (1) Fair weather.
(4) Ditto weather.
(7) Sprung up a light air.
(12) Light breezes and hazy weather.

(8) Moderate breezes and hazy.

(7) The outer Lawn Island NNE 2½ miles.
At (8) Shag Rock N by W. Sounded 37 fathoms.
(10) Sounded 72 fathoms, coral with some grey sand.
(11) ½ past sounded 64 fathoms. Corally ground.

(1-3) Soundings from 113 to 53 fathoms.
(5-7) Ditto from 130 to 27 fathoms.
(8)Miquelon Rocks NW by W, 4 or 5 miles.

 

June 1766.

Cook and the Grenville arrived back on the south coast of Newfoundland. The previous year, Cook had surveyed from the south side of the Burin Peninsula at Great St. Lawrence Harbour via Fortune Bay to the Bay d'Espoir. He was now intending to carry on where he had left off the previous October and anchored in Bonne Bay, just to the west of Bay d'Espoir.

Week
Days
Month
Day
Winds Weather Remarks Notes
Sunday 1st   (1) Fresh breezes and hazy weather.
(4) Ditto weather.
(6) Ditto weather with rain.
(12) Hard rain.

(4) Ditto weather.
(8) Light airs and hazy.
(12) Ditto weather.

(4) Pass Island E by N, 2 miles.
(7) Anchored in a little cove on the west side of Bon Bay in 7 fathoms water and moored with the hawser fast on shore.

Draught of water:
when leaving England   Aft 9 ft 6½ in. Foreward 7 ft 4 in.
when arrived here   Aft 9 ft 3 in. Foreward 6 ft 11½ in.
Difference   Aft 3½ in Foreward 4½ in.

Pass Island.
Bonne Bay (47° 38'N, 56° 13'W) is an inlet on the south coast of Newfoundland, to the west of Hermitage Bay. The Grenville anchored in Killbuck Cove on the west side of the main bay.
Monday 2nd E The first part light airs and hazy. The later fair weather. AM Began to brew and got water on board.  
Tuesday 3rd W The first part fair weather. The later hazy with rain. PM Began the survey.
Employed overhauling the hold and platting the cable.
Supplied His Majesty's schooner, the Hope with 293 lbs bread, 30 pieces of beef, 30 pieces of pork.
No mention is made of when the Hope arrived or left the bay. The Hope was another of the ships based on the Newfoundland station. It had been purchased by Lord Colvill in 1765 in Portsmouth. The schooner was 105 tons and carried 30 men. It was under the command of Lieutenant John Candler.
Wednesday 4th ditto Thick fog. Scraped the masts and employed overhauling the rigging.  
Thursday 5th W The major part foggy and hard rain. The people employed on board and cutting of wood. Employed on the survey.  
Friday 6th ditto
E
The first part foggy. The later fair. Employed on the survey. Dried sails. Cook was beginning where he had left off the previous year. He would work his way west along the South Coast.
Saturday 7th ENE The major part fair weather. Towards the later part hard rain. At 5 AM came to sail. At noon Bon Bay NE 2 miles. Sounded the coast along.  

Sailing Directions Notes
Bonne Bay lies one league to the Westward of Great Jervis Head, and North 7 miles from Pass Island, there are several Islands in the mouth of it, the Westernmost of which is the largest and highest. The best passage into the bay is to the Eastward of the largest Island, bewteen it and the two Easternmost Islands; which two islands may be known by a rock above water off the South point of each of them. The bay lies in N.N.W 4 miles, and is near half a mile broad in the narrowest part; there is no danger going in, butwhat shews itself; you may go on either side of Drake Island, which is a small island nearly in the middle of the bay; between this Island, and two small islands lying on the West side of the bay within Great Island, is anchorage in 20 and 30 fathoms, but the best place for large ships is at the head of the bay in 12 or 14 fathoms clear ground, and convenient for wooding and watering. On the West side of the bay, abreast of Drake Island, is a very snug. harbour for small vessels, wherein is 7 fathoms water, and good conveniences for a fishery; off the South point of the entrance are some sunken rocks, about a cable's length from the shore. On the N.W. side of the great Island, within the two small Islands is very good anchorage in 16, 20 and 24 fathoms water, sheltered from all winds. The passage into this place to the Westward of the great Island from the sea is very dangerous, by reason there are several sunken rocks in the passage, and shallow water; but there is very good passage into it from the bay, passing to the Northward of the two small Islands, between them and the West shore. In sailing in or out of the bay you must not approach too near the South point of the Great Island, because of some sunken rocks, which lie a quarter of a mile from the shore.

 

A little to the Westward of Bonne Bay, between it and Facheux is Musketa Cove, a small inlet wherein is from 30 to 47 fathoms water.

Bonne Bay is located on Newfoundland's south coast, north of Pass Island and close to the entrances to Bay d'Espoir and Hermitage Bay. It is about 6 km long and up to 1 km wide.

Several islands lie across the entrance. The present-day settlement of McCallum lies in a a side cove, Bonne Bay Harbour.

Great Jervis Head is the eastern point of Great Jervis Island (47° 39'N, 56° 08'W) and forms the southwestern point at the entrance to Bay d'Espoir.

The three islands off Bonne Bay are from west to east: Taylor (Cook called it Great Island on his chart); Middle (Cook called it Crooked Island); and Saddle Island. Taylor is the largest. The two small islands to the north of Taylor are Poole (to the west) and Daniel Islands.

The head of the bay is called Rose Cove.

Killbuck Cove is the snug harbour on the west side of Bonne Bay. Cook anchored there.

The good anchorage is off the present-day settlement of McCallum, which is on Bonne Bay Harbour.

Mosquito Cove (47° 37'N, 56° 15'W) is the present name for the small cove. It lies 1 km west of Bonne Bay and is 1.5 km long and 500 metres wide.

Week
Days
Month
Day
Winds Weather Remarks Notes
Sunday 8th
June
E
calm
WNW
The first part hard rain. The later fair weather. At 4 PM anchored in the NW arm of the Bay Fochee in 24 fathoms water and moored with the hawser on shore. Facheux Bay (47° 38'N, 56° 19'W) is an inlet about 8 km to the west of Bonne Bay. The NW arm probably refers to Facheux Harbour, a small cove just inside the entrance on the west shore. Facheux means unfortunate. The bay is 1 km wide and 17 km long.
Monday 9th NNW The first part fair weather. The later thick fog with some rain. AM Employed cutting wood.  
Tuesday 10th N
W
The first part thick fog with hard rain. The later fresh gales and clear weather. At 4 came to sail. At noon Pass Island SE by S, Bay of Fochee NE½ E. Sounded as usual.  

Sailing Directions Notes
The entrance to the bays of Facheux and Dragon, lies West 4 miles from Bonne Bay, N.W. by N. near 3 leagues from Pass Island; this entrance is very conspicuous at sea, by which this part of the coast is easily known. Facheux, which is the Easternmost branch, lies in North 2 leagues, and is one third of a mile broad in the narrowest part, which is at the entrance, with deep water in most part of it. One mile up the bay on the West side, is a cove, wherein is anchorage in 10 fathoms, with gradual soundings into the shore, and clear bottom; and further up the bay, on the same side, are two other coves, wherein is anchorage, and plenty of wood and water. Dragon Bay lies in N.W.W. one league and is near half a mile broad, wherein is 60 and 70 fathoms water, and no anchorage till you come to the head, and then you must be very near the shore to be in moderate depth of water. The cove is Facheux Harbour, 3 km inside the entrance on the west side of the bay.

The other two coves, north of Facheux Harbour, are Dennis Arm and Brent Cove.

Dragon Bay (47° 37'N, 56° 21'W) shares the entrance to the sea with Facheux Bay and is the western of the two openings. It trends WNW from the entrance, is 5 km long and up to 500 metres wide.

Wednesday 11th W

WNW

(1) Strong gales and squally.
(6) Ditto weather.
(12) Moderate gales and fair weather.

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

(2) Tacked. Close reefed the topsails and reefed the mainsail.
(4) The cutter left the vessel.
(6) Pass Island SW½ W and about x a mile from the shore. Hoisted the cutter immediately at her return.
(12)Tacked. Sounded no ground with 90 fathom of line.

(6) The Master with the cutter and crew left the vessel to carry on the survey.
(8) Bay of the Devil N by E 2 leagues.
(12) Cape La Hune WNW 3 or 4 leagues.

The Grenville left Facheux Bay and sailed west passing Hare and Devil Bays. Cook left the vessel to recommence surveying.
Devil Bay (47° 37'N, 56° 37'W) lies 23 km west of Facheux Bay. It is 5 km long, up to 500 metres wide and steep sided.
Cape La Hune (47° 32'N, 56° 52'W) is a prominent headland at the entrance to La Hune Bay

Sailing Directions Notes
One mile to the Westward of Facheux is Little Hole, wherein is shelter for shallops. And one league to the Westward of Facheux is Richard's Harbour, a snug place for small vessels, and fishing shallops, wherein is not more than 23 fathoms. The East point of this harbour is a very conspicuous high head, lying W. half S. 7 miles from Bonne Bay, and and N.W. a quarter W. 3 leagues from Pass Island.

W. by N. one league and a half from Richard's Harbour, is Hare Bay, which lies in North about 5 miles, is about one third of a mile broad in the narrowest part, with very high land on both sides, and deep water close to both shores in most parts of it. Near one mile up the bay, on the East side, is a small cove wherein the anchorage in 20 fathoms, with gradual soundings into the shore; and one league up the bay, on the West side, is a very good harbour, wherein is good anchorage in 8, 10, 12 and 15 fathoms, and plenty of wood and water.

W. by N. 4 miles from Hare Bay, and one league N. by W. from Hare's Ears point is Devil's Bay, a narrow inlet lying in to Northward one league wherein is deep water, and no anchorage till you come close to the head.

The bay of Rencontre, which lies to the Northward of Hare's Ears point lies in W. by N. 2 leagues, it is near half a mile broad in the narrowest part, with deep water in most parts of it. To anchor in this bay, you must run up above a low woody point on the South side, then haul under the South shore until you are ladlocked, and anchor in 30 fathoms water.

Hare's Ears Point is a pretty large point, with a ragged rock upon it, that from some points of view looks like the ears of a hare; it lies West Southerly 11 miles from the point of Richard's Harbour, and W. by N. half 6 leagues from Pass Island; off this point is a fishing bank that extends a mile from the shore, wheron is from 20 to 36 fathoms.

One mile to the Northward of Hare's Ears Point, at the S.W. entrance into Rencontre Bay, is New Harbour, a small harbour, wherein is anchorage for small vessels in 16 fathoms water, and good conveniences for a fishery.

Muddy Hole (47° 37'N, 56° 21'W) is the present name for Little Hole. It is 3 km. west of Facheux Bay. It is 750 metres long and up to 150 metres wide.

The high head between Muddy Hole and Richard's Harbour (47° 36'N, 56° 24'W) appears on Cook's chart as Richard's Head but is now known as Fish Head. Richard's Harbour is 7 km. west of Facheux Harbour. It is 1.5 km long and up to 300 metres wide.

Hare Bay (47° 37'N, 56° 31'W) is large bay 15 km. west of Facheux Bay. It is 14 km long and up to 1 km wide.

Lock's Cove (47° 38'N, 56° 31'W) is the small cove 3 km up on the east side of Hare Bay.

Northwest Arm (47° 42'N, 56° 32'W) is the very good harbour near the head of Hare Bay.

The direction from Hare's Ears Point (47° 35'N, 56° 40'W) to Devil Bay (47° 37'N, 56° 37'W) should read N. by E.

Rencontre Bay (47° 37'N, 56° 39'W) is located 10 km west of Hare Bay. It is 8 km long and 1 km wide. The name is a shortened form of L'Heureuse rencontre meaning happy meeting.

High Lookout (47° 37'N, 56° 41'W) is the point on the south side of Rencontre Bay, 3 km from the entrance.

Hare's Ears Point is located at the end of the promontory between Rencontre and Chaleur Bays. It is 11.5 km WSW from the mouth of Hare Bay.

New Harbour (47° 36'N, 56° 39'W) lies 1 km south of Rencontre Bay. It is 750 metres long and 200 meteres wide.

Thursday 12th
June
WNW (1) Moderate breezes and fair weather.
(4) Ditto weather.
(12 Ditto weather.

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

(4) Standing into a bay.
(6) Anchored in 28 fathoms and made the hawser fast on shore in the bay.
(9) The cutter came on board.

(8) The cutter left the vessel to proceed on the survey. (12) Employed on the survey.

Cook does not say exactly where the Grenville was anchored but Chaleur Bay (47° 34'N, 56° 42'W) seems the most probable.
Chaleur Bay (47° 35'N, 56° 42'W) is 10 km long and up to 1 km wide. It is located 14 km WSW of Hare Bay. Chaleur means heat or warmth.
Friday 13th WSW Mostly fair these 24 hours. PM Employed on board about the rigging and sawing of wood.  
Saturday 14th ditto Ditto weather. Towards the later part something foggy. Employed about the survey. At 7 PM the cutter returned.  
Sunday 15th SW The first part fair weather. The later foggy. PM Employed on the survey. AM Employed getting wood on board.  
Monday 16th ditto Foggy with some rain. Employed brewing, watering and sawing wood.  
Tuesday 17th SW
NW
W
The first part foggy. The later fair weather. PM Received on board all the beer and water. At 5 AM came to sail. At noon Ragged Point N 2 miles. Hare's Ears Point (47° 35'N, 57° 40'W) is the probable location of Ragged Point. Cook, in his sailing directions describes the point as having ragged rocks and it is close by the mouth of Chaleur Bay.

Sailing Directions Notes
West 2 miles from Hare's Ears Point is the Bay of Chaleur, which lies in first N.W. then more Northerly, in the whole 2 leagues; it is about half a mile broad, and has very deep water in most parts. At the north entrance into the bay, close to the shore, is a small Island of tolerable height; and half a league within the Island, on the N.E. side of the bay, is a rock above water; a little within this rock, on the same side, is a small cove with a sandy beach, off which you may anchor in 28 fathoms, a cable's length from the shore.

W.S.W. near half a league from the bay of Chaleur, is the Bay Francois, which is a small inlet, lying in N.N.W. half W. one mile; it is near a quarter of a mile broad at the entrance, and 17 fathoms deep; but just within is 50 and 60 fathoms; at the head is from 30 to 20 fathoms, good anchorage, and conveniences for a fishery.

W.S.W. 4 miles from the bay Francois, on the East-side of Cape La Hune, lies Oar Bay, off the East point of the entrance is a low rocky Island, close to the shores from this point, to the entrance into the bay of Despair, the course is W. three-quarters N. 9 leagues. In the mouth of this may is a rocky island, and a passage on either side of it. The bay lies in first N.N.E. near one league, then North 2 miles; it is one-third of a mile broad in the narrowest part, with deep water close to both shores all the way up; the least water is at the entrance. At the head is a small snug harbour, fit only for small vessels and fishing shallops, wherein is 5 fathoms water. At the West-side of the entrance into the bay N.W. by N. from the rocky Island before-mentioned, is a small snug cove, called Cul de Sac, wherein is 3 or 4 fathoms water, and good shelter for fishing vessels.

Cape La Hune is the Southernmost point of land on this part of the coast, and lies in the latitude 47° 31' 42" North. West Half North from Pass Island, and N.W. half N. 10½ leagues from cape Miquelon; it may be easily known by its figure, which much resembles a sugar loaf; but in order to distinguish this, you must approach the shore at least within 3 leagues, (unless you are directed to the Eastward or Westward of it) otherwise the elevation of the high land within it will hinder you from distinguishing the sugar loaf hill; but the cape may always be known by the High Land of La Hune, which lies one league to the Westward of it; this land rise directly from the sea, to a tolerable height, appears pretty flat at top, and may be seen in clear weather 16 leagues.

Gull Island is 100 metres off the north shore of Chaleur Bay, near the entrance.
Shooter Rock and Point lie 3.5 km inside Chaleur Bay on the north shore. Friar Cove is the small cove just inside the point.
Bay Francois (47° 34'N, 56° 44'W ) is 2 km SW of Chaleur Bay. It is 2.5 km long and 500 metres wide.
Aviron (Oar) Bay (47° 32'N, 56° 49'W ) lies just to the East of Cape La Hune. It is 7 km long and up to 1 km wide.The rock just to the East of Aviron Point, the southeast point of Aviron Bay, is Distress Rock. The rock in the middle of the entrance to the bay is Aviron Rock.
Cook named a cove, just East of Aviron Bay, Paddle Cove but this name has since transferred to another cove further East. Cook's Paddle Cove is now Nick Power Cove.
Cul de Sac Cove is 1.5 km long and 800 metres wide. It shares the entrance with Aviron Bay.
Cape La Hune (47° 32'N, 56° 52'W) is about 190 metres high. Hune is a French nautical term for the top of the mast and top sail, which the headland presumably resembled.
The High Land of La Hune (47° 34'N, 56° 54'W) is a small plateau of prominent higher land to the northwest of Cape La Hune. It rises to 450 metres.

Wednesday 18th
June
W by N
NW by W
WNW
calm
(1) Fresh breezes and clear weather.
(4) Fresh gales and clear weather.
(8) Ditto weather.
(12) Moderate and fair weather.

(8) Moderate breezes and fair weather.
(12) Ditto weather.

(2) Hoisted the cutter in.
(4) Cape La Hune NW½W 2 leagues.
(8) Cape La Hune N by W½W. Penguin Islands W¼S.
(12) Cape La Hune N½E 3 miles. 126 fathoms water.

(4) Hoisted the cutter out. Employed on the survey as usual.
(8) Cape La Hune N by E 2 or 3 leagues. Sounding about a sunken rock.
(12) Cape La Hune N by E½E 3 leagues.

The Penguin Islands (47° 23'N, 56° 59'W) are a small group of islands lying about 20 km south of Cape La Hune.

Watch Rock (47° 23'N, 56° 51'W) is the sunken rock, xx km. east of the Penguin Islands.

Sailing Directions Notes
East 3 deg. North, 7 miles from the Penguin Islands, and South 9 deg. East 3 leagues from the Cape La Hune is a dangerous rock, whereon the sea generally breaks; it is about one hundred fathoms in circuit, with 10, 12, and 14 fathoms water close to all round it. From this rock stretches out a narrow bank, one league to the Westward, and half a league to the Eastward, whereon is from 24 to 58 fathoms, a rocky and gravelly bottom. In the channel between the shore and this rock, also between the shore and the Penguin Islands is 120 and 130 fathoms water, a muddy bottom, and the same bottom, and nearly the same depth of water one league without them. Watch Rock.

Thursday 19th SW
WNW
NW
(1) Fresh breezes and fair weather.
(4) Ditto weather.
(8) Ditto weather.

(5) Fair weather.
(12) Ditto weather.

(4) Cape La Hune NE by N 3 leagues.
(6) The cutter came on board. Hoisted her in.
(8) The large Penguin Island N by W 2 mile.
(9) Anchored under the large Penguin Island with the small bower in 38 fathoms water.

(5) Weighed and came to sail.
(12) Sounding off the Penguin Islands.

Penguin Island anchorage (47° 23'N, 56° 59'W)

Sailing Directions Notes
South 29 deg. W. 3½ leagues from the Cape La Hune, and North 61 deg. West near 10 leagues from the Cape Miquelon, lies the Penguin Islands, which are a parcel of barren rocks laying near to each other, and altogether about 2 leagues in circuit; you may approach these Islands in the day time to half a league all round, there being no danger at that distance off. On the S.W. side of the large Island, which is the highest, is a small cove, wherein is shelter for fishing shallops, and good conveneinces for a fishery; there is good fishing ground about the Island.  

Friday 20th
Jun.
WNW (1) Fresh breezes and fair weather.
(6) Ditto weather.
(8) Light breezes and fair.
(12) Ditto weather.

(12) Strong gales and fair weather.

(3) Bore away.
(4) Cape La Hune NE½E 3 leagues.
(8) Standing into Cape Bay.
(10) Anchored in a cove in Cape Bay in 10 fathoms water.

(6) Moored with the hawser fast on shore.
(12) Employed on the survey.

La Hune Bay (47° 33'N, 56° 52'W) is an inlet running south-north whose entrance is flanked by Cape La Hune. The Grenville anchored in a cove (47° 33'N, 56° 51'W), which on Cook's chart is named Lance Cove but today is known as Deadman Cove. It is 3 km up the bay on the East shore. La Hune Bay is 11 km long and up to 1 km wide
Saturday 21st WSW The first and later parts strong gales. The middle moderate and foggy. At 7 AM hauled ashore in order to scrub the bottom.  
Sunday 22nd ditto The first part hard gales and squally. The middle moderate and foggy. At 6 AM hauled off to our anchors.  
Monday 23rd SE Major part moderate and foggy. At 7 AM hauled ashore in order to secure the other side. One of the boats employed on the survey. Tarred the sides and blacked the bends. Blacked the bends
Tuesday 24th all round the compass Foggy weather. At 7 PM hauled off to our anchors. AM Employed brewing.  
Wednesday 25th ditto Ditto weather. Employed on the survey and brewing.  
Thursday 26th ditto Ditto weather. Employed brewing and wooding. Opened a cask of beef, no.71: contents 190 pxxs; and a cask of pork, no. 1084, contents 156 pxxxs. Pork run full, Contents beef left in the beef cask 60 pxxs.  
Friday 27th ditto The major part thick fog. Employed on the survey and wooding.  
Saturday 28th S
W
Fresh gales with some rain the first part. The later clear weather. AM Employed on the survey.  
Sunday 29th W Mostly fair weather. Employed on the survey.  
Monday 30th
Jun.
ditto The first part fair weather. The later inclined to fog. Employed on the survey. AM Employed overhauling the rigging. Received on board a boat load of wood and a turn of water.  

Please click here to return to index.
Please click here for 1765 Part 2: July to December.
Please click here for 1766 Part 2: July to November.