Aug.] 



ISLAND OF FERNANDO NORONHA. 



145 



Hook light, bearing north-west-by-west, distant two leagues ; with a 

 fine first-rate vessel under our feet, and a strong healthy crew of 

 twenty-three men, including officers. The crew were mostly young 

 men, active, enterprising, and chivalric ; reckless of danger or hard- 

 ships, and ready for adventure of any kind, that was lawful and hon- 

 ourable. 



July Slst. — We steered a south-easterly course with light variable 

 winds, and generally fair weather. On Saturday, the 31st, we took 

 the north-east trade-winds, from east-north-east, and squally ; being 

 then in latitude 30° 0' N., long. 52° 0' W. from Greenwich. On the 

 following day the wind freshened, and hauled to east-by-south, from 

 which quarter it continued to blow with little variation, but very light, 

 for more than a fortnight. 



August \5th. — We finally lost the north-east trades on Sunday, the 

 15th of August, in latitude 7° 10' N., long 43° 15' W. From this 

 time our course was much retarded by calms, occasionally interrupted 

 by light breezes or squalls from south-south-west to south-south-east, 

 attended with heavy falls of rain. We took every advantage that was 

 possible of these winds to make southerly, so that twelve days more 

 brought us to the equator. 



August 27th. — On Friday the 27th, we crossed the equinoctial line 

 in long. 30° 23' W. At eight, P. M., we took the wind from south- 

 east and fair weather. The usual ceremonies were of course ob- 

 served on this important occasion. 



August 30th. — On Monday, the 30th, we were close in with the 

 west end of Fernando Noronha, an island in the South Atlantic Ocean, 

 about sixty-seven leagues from the coast of Brazil, lying north-east 

 from Cape St. Roque, in latitude 3° 55' S., long. 32° 29' W. This 

 location refers to the centre of the island, which is about seven miles 

 long, and two or two and a quarter broad. This island was formerly 

 appropriated by the Brazilian government to a like purpose with that 

 of Juan Fernandez by the government of Chili ; viz. for a place of 

 exile for their vilest criminals, guarded by a garrison of regular troops. 

 This may account for all its little sandy bays and anchorages being 

 defended by forts. At present it is inhabited by about two hundred 

 colonists, sixty of whom are soldiers. 



This island is distinguished by a high rocky peak on its north side, 

 called the Pyramid, which appears very rugged and barren ; and is 

 rendered still more remarkable by its south-west point, called the Hole 

 in the Wall, which is pierced through, giving a free passage to the 

 sea. On the south side is a little rocky isle, strongly resembling a 

 statue. When viewed from a distance, the Pyramid has the appear- 

 ance of a very high steeple or tower. 



Vessels employed in the southern whale-fishery often stop at this 

 island to procure supplies of cattle, sheep, poultry, wood, water, &c. 

 The latter, however, is frequently very scarce ; owing to the rivulets 

 being all dried up by the drought at particular seasons of the year, 

 when vegetation also becomes parched and destroyed. Though this is 

 no uncommon occurrence, it is neither periodical nor regular. There 

 are but few vegetables to be procured here in the best of seasons, but 



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