THE PACIFIC OCEAN, 
537 
then we left the land aftern. The Difcovery, by being at 
fome diftance to the North, was never near the land ; nor 
did we fee her till eight o’clock. 
On this occafton, I cannot help obferving, that I have al¬ 
ways found, that the bolt-ropes to our fails have not been 
of fufficient ftrength or fubftance. This, at different times, 
has been the fource of infinite trouble and vexation; and 
of much expence of canvas, ruined by their giving way. I 
wifh alfo, that I did not think there is room for remarking, 
that the cordage and canvas, and indeed all the other ftores 
made ufe of in the navy, are not of equal goodnefs with 
thofe, in general, ufed in the merchant fervice. 
It feems to be a very prevalent opinion, amongft naval 
officers of all ranks, that the king’s ftores are better than 
any others, and that no ffiips are fo well fitted out as thofe 
of the navy. Undoubtedly they are in the right, as to the 
quantity, but, I fear, not as to the quality of the ftores. 
This, indeed, is feldom tried ; for things are generally con¬ 
demned, or converted to fome other ufe, by fuch time as 
they are half worn out. It is only on fuch voyages as 
ours, that we have an opportunity of making the trial; as 
our fituation makes it neceffary to wear every thing to the 
very utmoft*. 
1778. 
December. 
* Captain Cook may, in part, be right in his companion of fome cordage ufed in 
the King’s fervice, with what is ufed in that of the merchants; efpecially in time of 
war, when part of the cordage wanted in the navy is, from neceffity, made by con¬ 
trail. But it is well known, that there is no better cordage than what is made in the 
King’s yards. This explanation of the preceding paragraph has been fubjoined, on the 
authority of a naval officer of diilinguifhed rank, and great profeffional ability, who has, 
at the fame time, recommended it as a neceffary precaution, that fliips fitted out on voy¬ 
ages of difcovery, fhould be furnifhed with no cordage but what is made in the King’s 
yards ; and, indeed, that every article of their ftore, of every kind, fliould be the beft 
that can be made. 
VOL. II. 
3 Z 
As 
