Scope and Contents The August entries begin with increased sightings of tropical birds, dolphins and flying fish as the ship approached Tahiti. Bayly notes that the crew caught a shark five foot long and later, a large albatross. On 11 August he records that they had discovered land, which he initially describes as ‘3 small sandy islands with a few trees on the most elevated parts’; the following day he states that it proved to be a long low sandy island [RGO 14/56: 80v-81r]. On 14 August they sighted three...

Scope and Contents Entries covering the journey from Matavai Bay to Huaheine. On 3 September Bayly records that they reached the island of Huaheine but fell back on the reef at Owharre Bay, and only came free with the help of the Resolution. Entries are intermittent for 7-17 September while the ship was at anchor at Owharre Bay and Ohamaneno Bay. The entry for 8 September records that Bayly [and Wales] went on shore, where they took many distances of the moon and sun [RGO 14/56: 83v]. The ship was at sea again...

Scope and Contents Daily log entries until 21 April, travelling via the Marquesa Islands, Palliser’s Islands, King George Island and Matavai Bay (Tahiti). These are followed by summarised entries covering the period until the end of May, when the ship was anchored in Matavai Bay. The entries for 7-11 April include mention of being greeted in the Marquesa Islands by local inhabitants in canoes bearing fruit and plantains, records of observations taken, and descriptions of the islands [RGO 14/58: 102]. That for...

Scope and Contents

The map also shows the reef surrounding Point Venus (DDD), the location of the observatory (O), and places where tide levels were recorded by Captain Cook, William Wales and William Bayly (A, B and C). Further details on the tide levels are provided in a reference table. A scale rule in furlongs is also provided.

Scope and Contents

The observations begin with a note on setting up his observatory and equipment on shore. They include observations for the going of the clocks; reductions of the rate of Watch No. 1 from comparisons with Clock (B); observations on the tides; observed azimuths and amplitudes; and observations of the depression of the magnetic needle.