ABSTRACT
Nothing in Particular occurred till this day, save that the Friday 19th: Ship has continnued makeing more water, and when it Blew Fresh, keeps one Pump almost continnually going. This morning at daylight we Saw the Sandwich Islands, Morotoi2
in the Direction of SBE 10 or 12 Leagues distant and Woahoo South West, 14 or 15 Leagues. We keept our wind and Stood for the former in hopes of Procureing refreshments to day and by 3 oclock had Passed the North West Point at the distance of two miles and Came into an Extensive sandy Bay on the West side the Island, our Soundings being 26 fathems with a Bottom of Sand and shells at the distance i f miles from the Shore. Several Houses where observed near the Beach and three Cannoes where lying off, but as we drew near them with our Colours hoisted they Paddled haistily to the Shore, and hailed their Cannoes up among the Bushes. We keept Plying in the Bay untill Sunset, when perscieveing they did not intend coming off, we bore up for Woahoo, running under an Easy sail all night, and the Breeze dying
Saturday 20th: away almost to a Calm, at daylight we where not nearer than 5 Leagues to the Island: at n oclock we Passed the S. East Point and at Meridian Anchored in Why, tee, tee1 Bay in 14 fathems, Sand and Shells, and found riding here the Snow2 (formerly the Sloop, Meares) Washington, Captam Roger Simpson, who sent an officer onboard to inform him self if we where in want of refreshments, and finding we had not yet received any from the Shore, very Politely sent an Hog with a Quantity of vegetables, accompanyed with a Message that himself would come onboard the Ruby in the afternoon. Several of our Countrymen who Reside with, Tim Hamy Haw, the Soverign of all the Islands, Except Attooi3 and Oneeheehow, had come off to us as we run down towards the Bay. They came Paddling off like the Natives and seemed to Possess a degree of command over them, ordering them with great authority to Stay in their Cannoes. They Informed us briefly that Tom Hamy Hau had taken all the Islands lately except the above mentioned and that he was Prepareing his Forces to Attack them: adding also that it was a Taboo day and that the King would not come off till
tomorrow. Nevertheless they dispatched a Cannoe at my request to desire the King to send off some Provisions to us and which soon after we anchored returned with two Large Hogs and vegetables Fruit &c with a request on the Part of the King to see one of the officers on Shore. Captam Simpson as well as our Country men ashureing me there was nothing to apprehend the Docter readily accepted the Commiseon attended by one of the White inhabitants, the Particulars of which will be related hereafter. Captam Simpson was Re cieved onboard the Ruby with that Attention his Politeness deserved and was in our Power to bestow. He informed me They had Sailed from Canton last July, but meeting with a Dreadful Typhon, on the coast of Japan, in their way towards the North West coast of America, Which blew away some of their Sails, and Suffering other distresses from Contrary winds, and want of Provisions, was necessiated to bear up for the Sandwich Islands, & give up the thought of reaching America ’till the Ensuing Season. They passed most of the winter in Karakakooa1 Bay at the Island of Owhyhee in Company with the Prince William Henery, Captam Wake, who sailed about 6 Weeks ago for the Coast of California. 9th: Jan wary Captam Broughton in His Maj: Ship Providence arrived there and Sailed for Attooi the 14th: of this Present month. This Information naturally awakened in me a desire of seeing Captam Broughton, from whom we might derive great assistance in Stopping our Leaks, and being in Company with him could Allow the Ship to be Careened and put into disorder without fear of the Natives. Hence I resolved to Sail for that Island tomorrow. Captam Simpson after chearfully partaking of our Fare returned to his Ship. It blew Fresh in Squalls dureing the night and both vessels drove considerably, but the wind being along the Shore, did not approach any Danger. In the Morning many Cannoes thronged off from the Shore with vegetables, but Brought very few Hogs, and for those, nothing but Powder was demanded, and a middle sized Hog could not be got under a Quart of that article.
