THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 
277 
1779. 
J^y. 
high winds, all of which came from the South Weft. We 
were fubject to fogs, whenever the wind was moderate, 
from whatever quarter, but they attended Southerly winds 
more conftantly than contrary ones. 
The ftraits, between the two continents, at their neareft 
approach, in latitude 66°, were afcertained to be thirteen 
leagues, beyond which they diverge to North Eaft by Eaft 
and Weft North Weft; and in latitude 69°, they become 14 0 
of longitude, or about one hundred leagues, afunder. A 
great fimilarity is obfervable in the appearance of the two 
countries, to the Northward of the ftraits. Both are defti- 
tute of wood. The Ihores are low, with mountains riling 
to a great height farther up the country. The depth of 
water in the mid-way between them, was twenty-nine 
and thirty fathoms, decreaftng gradually as we approached 
either continent, with the difference of being fomewhat 
fhoaler on the American than on the Aftatic coaft, at the 
fame diftance from land. The bottom, in the middle, was 
a loft flimy mud; and on drawing near to either fhore, a 
brown land, intermixed with fmall fragments of bones, and 
a few fhells. We obferved but little tide or current; v r hat 
there was, came from the Weft ward. 
But it is now' time to refume the narrative of our voyage, 
which was broken off on the 31ft of July, on which day at 
noon we had advanced eighteen leagues to the Southward 
of the Eaft Cape. 
We had light airs from the South Weft, till noon of the Sunday 
ill of Auguft, at which time our latitude, by obfervation, 
was 64° 23', longitude 189° 15"; the coaft of Alia extended 
from North Weft by Weft to Weft half South, diftant about 
twelve leagues; and the land to the Eaft ward of Saint Lau¬ 
rence bore South half Weft. On the 2d, the weather be- Monday 2. 
coming 
Auguft. 
1. 
