THE JOURNAL OF JOHN BISCOE. 327 
afloat, and continued to blow between west and north until the 21st, 
when it became more steady at N.W. and clearer. 
April 22.—Ditto wind. Our latitude at noon, by observation, 54° 
57’ §., dead reckoning 54° 10’, making a difference of 4° in ten days, and 
of latitude 45’ in five days, which I think is to be attributed to great 
decrease of variation as well as not allowing sufficient distance in the 
courses, as the sea has generally been very high and running after the 
vessel ; and by an azimuth this afternoon I found the variation only 
27° 38’ west, which is a decrease of 15 degrees since the last. 8 p.m., 
the Aurora Australis is very bright, stretching in the form of a rainbow 
from E.S.E. to W.S.W. During the last few days I have observed a new 
species of eaglet with * * * * head and body and black wings. 
April 23.—Strong north-east gales with thick weather, which lasted 
all the 24th. At 5 p.m., this day, died Henry Brown, the carpenter. 
He had had a long illness, which commenced with pains and swellings 
in his legs. Afterwards his mouth became much affected, the gums 
swelling over his teeth, and a general debility ensued. When he died 
his mouth was in a putrid state. I regret very much the death of this 
man, as he was very useful and had good abilities. 
April 25.—Moderate breezes from the northward with a heavy sea 
running. 
April 26.—Strong northerly winds with hazy weather, and having 
now only one of the crew able to stand, together with one boy, the 
officers (two mates) and myself, I find it absolutely necessary to make 
the best of my way for Van Diemen’s Land to save the vessel and the 
lives of those who remain. 
April:27.—Passed some kelp, and at several times saw and heard 
penguins. From this to the 30th the wind was light, with much rain, 
when it blew a strong gale from N.E., with heavy and frequent hail 
squalls. p.m. Died, John Antonio, a native of the Cape Verde, of 
dysentery; the others of the crew in a very dangerous state. Strong 
N.W. winds. Latitude by observation, being the first for some days, 
52° 58’, by dead reckoning, 51° 36’, which shows a great decrease in 
variation. 
May 2.—Longitude L. O., 126° 32’ 45” HE. On the 2nd of May the 
wind came more to the westward, which enabled us to haul up north-east 
by north, as there is now, I find, no variation by the observations, 
or if any, easterly. This is very acceptable, as one of the mates 
complains very much, and has evident symptoms of scurvy. Our 
latitude at noon, 51° 53’ §., longitude by chronometer, No. 2, 134° 40! 
00" E.; by L. O., 129° 09’ E.; by dead reckoning, 126° 40' E., which great 
difference, I conclude, must be from error in reckoning and allowing 
the course too much to the northward. 
May 3.—Strong westerly gales with hard squalls and much hail. 
Heavy running 8.W. sea, which lasted with little variation till the 6th, 
a.m., when it became more moderate. Latitude by observation, at noon, 
