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XXVI. Of the ’tides in the South Seas. By Captain 
James Cook, F. R. S. 
TO SIR JOHN PRINGLE, BART. P. R. S. 
April 2, 177$- 
S I R, Mile-End, 
R. Apr. 18, T n compliance with your requeft, I fend you 
^ JL observations on the tides in Endeavour 
River, on the Eaft Coaft of New Holland, in latitude 
1 5 0 26' S. 
About 1 1 o’clock in the evening of the 10th of June 
1770, as we were handing off fhore, the fhip fuddenly 
Struck, and Stuck faff on a reef ot coral rocks, about fix 
leagues from the land. At this time I judged it was 
about high water, and that the tides were taking oft, or 
decreasing, as it was three days paSt the full Moon; two 
circumstances by no means in our favour. As our efforts 
to heave her off, before the tide fell, proved ineffectual, 
we began to lighten her, by throwing over-board our 
guns, ballaft, See. in hopes of floating her the next high- 
Water; but, to our great Surprize, the tide did not rife 
high enough to accomplish this by near two feet. We 
had now no hopes but from the tide at midnight ; and thele 
only founded on a notion, very general indeed among 
Seamen, 
