0UTWA11D PASSAGE. 
13 
the 10th, we passed near the daugcrous rocks and 
islands of Skerivore, lying about 16 miles SW. of 
Tiree Island; and the following morning, at day¬ 
break, descried the Island of St Kilda, which we 
passed at noon. An azimuth of the sun, obtained 
this day, gave the variation only 23°, instead of 
32°; the difference, therefore, amounting to 9°, 
was the effect of the deviation when on a NNE. 
course, which is a very uncommon quantity. 
The ship being now fairly at sea, the ship’s 
company were divided into three “ watches,” con¬ 
taining an equal proportion of harpooners, boat- 
stecrers, &c. This arrangement, which the large 
complement of a Greenland ship’s crew renders 
easily practicable, gives each man, excepting on 
extraordinary occasions, 16 hours rest out of 24. 
This is a great relief to them in cold weather, 
and serves to compensate them for the extraordi¬ 
nary exertions to which they are sometimes called. 
At the same time, we appointed a crew of six or 
seven men for each of our seven whale-boats, for 
the purpose of getting them fully prepared and 
fitted for the fishery, and for keeping them in or¬ 
der when on service. 
On the 13th, we passed to the westward of the 
Faroe Islands, and at no great distance; but the 
weather being hazy, we did not see them. 
To my great surprise, I was informed at day- 
