1774* ROUND THE WORLD. 123 



Giant's Causeway in Ireland. At sunset, the wind 

 veering round to the south, we tacked and stood 

 off, it not being safe to approach the shore in the 

 dark. At day-break we stood in again, with a faint 

 land-breeze between E. S. E. and S. S. E. At noon 

 observed in latitude c 21° 59' 30", Cape Coronation 

 bearing west southerly, distant seven leagues, and 

 the Foreland S. 38° West. As we advanced to S.S.W. 

 the coast beyond the Foreland began to appear in 

 sight ; and, at sunset, we discovered a low island 

 lying S.S. E., about seven miles from the Foreland. 

 It was one of those which are generally surrounded 

 with shoals and breakers. At the same time a round 

 hill was seen bearing S. 24° East, twelve leagues dis- 

 tant. During night, having had variable light winds, 

 we advanced but little either way. 



On the 2oth, about ten o'clock A.M., having got a 

 fair breeze at E.S. E., we stood to S. S. W., in hopes of 

 getting round the Foreland ; but, as we drew near, 

 we perceived more low isles beyond the one already 

 mentioned, which at last appeared to be connected 

 by breakers, extending towards the Foreland, and 

 seeming to join the shore. We stood on till half-past 

 three o'clock, when we saw, from the deck, rocks 

 just peeping above the surface of the sea, on the shoal 

 above mentioned. It was now time to alter the 

 course, as the day was too far spent to look for 

 a passage near the shore, and we could find no bot- 

 tom to anchor in during the night. We therefore 

 stood to the south, to look for a passage without 

 the small isles. We had a fine breeze at E. S. E., but 

 it lasted no longer than five o'clock, when it fell to 

 a dead calm. Having sounded, a line of 170 fathoms 

 did not reach the bottom, though we were but a little 

 way from the shoals, which, instead of following the 

 coast to S. W., took a S. E. direction towards the hill 

 we had seen the preceding evening, and seemed to 

 point out to us that it was necessary to go round that 

 land. At this time the most advanced point on the 



