538 AVOYAGETO 



- «77s. vourable opportunity, we foon eot others to the yards ; and 



December. i i i i i 



tlicn we letc the land allern. The Difcovery, by being at 

 ibme diftance to the North, was never near the land ; nor 

 did we fee her till eight o'clock. 



On this occafion, I cannot help obferving, that I have al- 

 ways found, that the bolt-ropes to our fails have not been 

 of fufficient ftrength or fubftance. This, at different times, 

 has been the fource of infinite trouble and vexation; and 

 of much expence of canvas, ruined by their giving way. I 

 wifli alfo, that I did not think there is room for remarking, 

 that the cordage and canvas, and indeed all the other ftores 

 made ufe of in the navy, are not of equal goodnefs with 

 thofe, in general, ufed in the merchant fervice. 



It feems to be a very prevalent opinion, amongft naval 

 officers of all ranks, that the king's ftores are better than 

 any others, and that no fliips are fo well fitted out as thofe 

 of the navy. Undoubtedly they are in the right, as to the 

 quantity, but, I fear, not as to the quality of the ftores. 

 This, indeed, is feldom tried ; for things are generally 

 condemned, or converted to fome other ufe, by fuch time as 

 they are half worn out. It is only on fuch voyages as ours^ 

 that we have an opportimity of making the trial ; as our 

 lituation makes it nccellary to wear every thing to the very 

 utmoft *. 



* Captain Cook may, in part, be riglit in kis comparifon of fome cordage ufed in 

 the King's fcrvicc, with what is ufed in that of the merchants ; cfpecially in time of 

 war, when part of tiie cordage wanted in the navy is, from neceffity, made by con-»- 

 traiTl. But it is well known, that there is no better cordage than what is made in the 

 King's yards. This explanation of the preceding paragraph has been fubjoined, on 

 the authority of a naval officer of diflinguiflied rank, and great profeiTional ability, 

 who has, at the fame time, recommended it as a necefiary precaution, that Ihips 

 fitted out on voyages of difcovery, fhould be furnifhcd with no cordage but what is 

 made in the King's yards ; and, indeed, tliat e\i;ry article of their ftorc, ol every kind, 

 fhould be the bcil that can be made.. 



As 



