SORTER S JOURNAL, 



13 



On the morning of the 3d, a sail was discovered to the 

 S. W. ; made all sail in chase, and at 8 o'clock, discovered 

 her to be a Portuguese merchant brig, bound to the west- 

 ward; gave over chase, and stood on to the S. E. with 

 light winds from the N. and variable ; sent up our royal 

 masts, and employed the crew in various useful jobs, the 

 sick and cooks of the messes being occupied in picking oak- 

 um for caulking the waterways, which were found to be 

 very open, in consequence of the oakum having washed 

 out. Got up the marine clothing from the store-room to 

 air, as some of it was found to be wet from the leak in the 

 stem ; the other store-rooms on examination proved to be 

 dry. Also, employed the sail-makers in repairing the fore- 

 topsail that was unbent, and gave directions to the officers 

 to get their boats in the best state for service, (each lieu- 

 tenant of the ship, as well as the sailing-master, having 

 charge of one.) Towards the latter part of the day, the 

 wind hauled around from the eastward, and threatened 

 rain. Rated Benjamin Wadden carpenter's yeoman. This 

 day saw a bird that very much resembled a plover in ap- 

 pearance and note. Latitude, by observation, 35" V north ; 

 longitude, by dead reckoning, 57' 9' west; variation of the 

 compass 4" westerly. 



The winds being light on the 4th, and the weather re- ' 

 ma rkably pleasant, got up our new suit of sails ; bent the new 

 courses, top-gallant-sails, and royals, and fitted the top- 

 sails for bending ; employed the carpenters in caulking our 

 water-ways, and the crew in various useful jobs. 



Fifth, latitude 33' 54' 20" north, longitude, 56' 14' west by 

 account, variation 5° westerly, the winds light and the wea- 

 ther fine, bent our new topsail ; kept the crew employed 

 in various useful jobs. 



From the ^th to the 7th, nothing remarkable. The 

 weather continuing fine, took advantage of it to get the 

 ship in the best state for service. 



On the afternoon of the 8th, blowing fresh and very 

 squally, discovered a sail to the E. N. E. ; hauled up for 

 her in chase ; at 5 discovered her to be a ship, under her 

 topsails, and courses hauled up, bearing the appearance 

 of a sloop of war. Being about five miles to windward of 

 her, and a heavy squall coming on, took in top-gallant- 

 sails, and two reefs in our topsails, preparatory to getting 



