i86 AVOYAGETO 
^xvm' P°^^^ concerning their route. The feafon was thought 
^""^^ ' to be too far advanced for them to attempt the foutherii 
courfe, by Van Diemen's Land ; and the pailageby Cape 
Horn was objected to by the Governor. It was therefore 
agreed unanimonfly that they fliould go to the north- 
ward, either through Endeavour Straits, or round New 
Guinea. Unfortunately the fnips were ill prepared to 
encounter the difficulties, which were to be expected in 
every mode of return ; their complement of men was 
fmall, only fix to an hundred tons, officers included ; 
they were without a furgeon, and unprovided with thofe 
articles which have been found effential to the preferva- 
ition of health in long voyages, fuch as bore-cole, four— 
crout, portable foup, and the other antifeptics recom- 
mended by the Royal Society. It cannot therefore be; 
wondered, though it muft be deeply regretted, that the 
failors fliould have fufiered fo dreadfully from the. fcurvy, , 
in the length of time neceffiiry for exploring a palTage: 
• through, an unknown fea perplexed with iflands, where 
they were deftitute of affiftance from charts, or obferva- 
tions of former navigators ; and were not fortunate.: 
enough to obtain a fupply of falutary refreffiments,. 
■ Lieutenant Shortland, in the Alexander tranfport, 
Tui}'i4t^,. failed out of the harbour of Port Jackfon, on Alondav, 
July 14, 1788, directing his courfe to the eail-nortli— 
. eafi-, with intention to touch at Lord Howe Ifland, and" 
4 there 
