2 A JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



9 



Secretary of State, requesting his permission to provide a few well 

 qualified steersmen and bowmen at Stromness, to assist our pro- 

 ceedings in the former part of our journey into the interior. 



May 30. — The easterly wind which had retarded the ship's 

 progress so much, that we had only reached Hollesly Bay after a 

 week's beating about, changed to W.S.W. soon after that anchorage 

 had been gained. The vessels instantly weighed, and by carrying all 

 sail, arrived in Yarmouth roads at seven P.M. ; the pilots were 

 landed, and our course was continued through the anchorage. At 

 midnight, the wind became light and variable, and gradually drew 

 round to the N. W. ; and as the sky indicated unsettled weather, and 

 the wind blew from an unfavourable quarter for ships upon that coast, 

 the commander bore up again for Yarmouth, and anchored at 

 eight A.M. 



This return afforded us, at least, the opportunity of comparing 

 the longitude of Yarmouth church, as shewn by our chronome- 

 ters, with its position ■ as laid down by the Ordnance trigonometrical 

 survey ; and it was satisfactory to find, from the small difference 

 in their results, that the chronometers had not experienced any 

 alteration in their rates, in consequence of their being changed 



from an horizontal position in a room, to that of being carried in the 

 pocket. 



An untoward circumstance, while at this anchorage, cast a damp 

 on our party at this early period of the voyage. Emboldened by the 

 decided appearance of the N. W. sky, several of our officers and pas- 

 sengers ventured on shore for a few hours ; but we had not been long 

 in the town before the wind changed suddenly to S.E., which caused 

 instant motion in the large fleet collected at this anchorage. The 

 commander of our ship intimated his intention of proceeding to sea 

 by firing guns ; and the passengers hastened to embark. Mr. Back, 

 however, had unfortunately gone upon some business to a house two 

 or three miles distant from Yarmouth, along the line of the coast : 



