A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels, Vol. 15 (of 18) by Robert Kerr

R >> Robert Kerr >> A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels, Vol. 15 (of 18)

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Vessel, _a hollow vessel in which they
prepare an inebriating liquor_, _Oo_'mutte.

To vomit, Er_oo_'y.

W.

Wad, _tow, fibres like hemp_, Ta'm_ou_.
Wait, _stay a little_, Areeana.
Wake, _awake_, Arra arra, s. Era.
To walk out, Avou'_oi_a.
To walk _backwards and forwards_, H_oo_a p_ee_pe.
A Warrior, _soldier, or rather a man-killer_, Taatatoea.
Warmth, _heat_, Mahanna,hanna.
A Wart, Toria.
To wash, _as to wash cloth in water_, Mare.
To watch, Eteaee.
Water, A'vy.
Water-cresses, Pa'toea.
We, _both of us_, Ta_oo_a, s. Ar_oo_'r_oo_a.
A wedge, Era'h_ei_.
To weep, _or cry_, Hanoe a,a,ta_ee_.
Well _recovered, or well escaped_, Woura, s. woo,ara.
Well, _it is well, charming, fine_, P_oo_ro'too.

What, _whats that_, E'hara, E'ha'rya,s.
Ye'ha_ee_a, expressed
inquisitively.

What _do you call that, what is the
name of it_, Owy te a_ee_'_oa_.

When, _at what time_, W'heea.
Where _is it_, Te'hea.

Whet, _to whet or sharp a thing_, Evo_ee_.
To whistle, Ma'p_oo_.

Whistling, _a method of whistling to
call the people to meals_, Ep_ou_,maa.

To whisper _secretly, as in backbiting_, &c. Ohe'm_oo_.

Who _is that, what is he called_, Owy,tanna, s.
Owy,nana.

Whole, _the whole not a part of a thing_, E'ta,e'tea, s. A'ma_oo_.
Wide, _not strait or narrow_, Whatta,whatta.
A Widow, Wa't_oo_neea.
Wife, _my wife_, Ma'h_ei_ne.
The Wind, Mattay.
_The south-east_ Wind, Mattaee.
A Window, Ma'laee ou'panee.
The Wing _of a bird_, Ere'_ou_.
To wink, E'am_ou_,am_oo_.
To wipe _a thing clean_, Ho'ro_ee_.
Wish, _a wish to one who sneezes_, Eva'r_ou_a t Eaet_oo_a.
Within _side_, T_ee_'ro to.
A Woman, Wa'h_ei_ne.
_A married_ Woman, Wa'h_ei_ne mou.

Woman, _she is a married woman, she
has got another husband_, Terra,tanne.

Won't _I won't do it_, 'A_eeoo_, expressed
angrily.

Wood _of any kind_, E'raoe.
A Wound, Oo't_ee_.
A Wrestler, M_ou_na.
Wrinkled _in the face_, M_ee_o, m_ee_o.
The Wrist, Mo'moea.
A Wry-neck, Na'na.

Y.

To yawn, Ha'mamma.
Yellow _colour_, He'appa.
Yes, Ay, s. _ai_.
Yesterday, Ninna'hay.
Yesternight, Ere'po.
York _island_, Ei'meo.
Yon Oe.
young,_as a young animal of any kind_, P_ee_'n_ai_a.

[21] A Table exhibiting at one View, Specimens of different
languages spoken in the South-Sea, from Easter Island,
Westward to New Caledonia, as observed in the Voyage.

English. Otaheite. Easter Island.
The Marquesas Isles. The Island of Amsterdam. New Zealand.
Malicolo. Tanna. New Caledonia

A Bird, 'Man_oo_,[22] 'Man_oo_,
'Manu_oo_,
Man_oo_, Manee, s. Man_eek_.

A Bow E'fanna,
'Fanna,
Nabrr_oo_s, Na'fanga.

Bread-fruit _Oo_r_oo_,
Mai_ee_,
Ba'rabe, Tag'_oo_r_oo_.

A canoe E'vaea 'Wagga,
Ev'aea, Ta'wagga,
Wang.

Cloth Ah_oo_, 'Ah_oo_,
'Ah_oo_, s. A'hoo_ee_a, Babba'langa,Kak'ah_oo_,
Ta'nar_ee_, Hamban.

A Cocoa-nut 'Ar_ee_,
'Eeoo,
Nar_oo_, Nab_oo_'y, 'N_eeoo_.

To drink Ayn_oo_' A_ee_n_oo_,
'A_ee_n_oo_,
No'a_ee_, N_ooee_, 'Oo_d_oo_, s. _Oo_nd_oo_.

The Eye Matta, Matta,
'Matta, s. Matta_ee_a, 'Matta, 'Matta,
M_ai_tang, Nan_ee_'maiuk, T_ee_'vein.

The Ear Ta'r_ee_a, Ta'r_ee_an,
B_oo_'_ee_na, Ta'r_ee_ka,
Talingan, F_ee_n_ee_'enguk, Gain'_ee_ng.

Fish 'Eya, _Ee_ka,
'_Ee_ka, '_Ee_ka,
'Nam_oo_.

A Fowl, Moea, Moea,
Moea,
Moe'r_oo_.

The Hand, E'r_ee_ma, 'R_ee_ma,
E_oo_'my, E'r_ee_ma, 'R_ee_nga,
Badon'h_ee_n.

The Head, _Oo_'po, Aoe'po,
Tak'_oo_po,
Ba's_ai_ne, N_oo_gwa'n_aium, Gar'moing.

A Hog, 'Boea,
'B_oo_a, B_oo_'acka,
'Brr_oo_as, 'B_oo_ga, s. 'B_oo_gas.

I,myself, W_ou_, s. _ou_,
'W_ou_, _Ou_.

To laugh, 'Atta,
Katta,
'Haearish, Ap, s.Gye'ap.

A Man, 'Taeata, Papa?
T_ee_to,
Ba'rang, Nar_oo_'maean.

The Navel, 'P_ee_to,
P_ee_to, s. P_ee_to'ai, P_ee_to,
Nomprtong, Nap_ee_ rainguk, Whanb_oo_ _ee_n.

No, (1)'Ayma,(2)Y_ai_ha,(3)A'_ou_re,'_Ei_sa,
'_Ee_sha, Ka'_ou_re,
Ta'ep, E'sa, '_Ee_va, _Ee_ba.

Plantains, 'M_ai_ya, (1)Maya, (2)F_oo_tse,
M_ai_e_ea_, 'F_oo_dje,
Nabrruts.

Puncturation, Ta't_ou_,
E'pat_oo_, Ta't_ou_, Moko,
'Gan, s. Gan,galang.

Rain, E'_oo_a, '_Oo_a,

Na'mawar, _Oo_e.

Sugar cane, E'To, To,

Na'r_oo_k.

The Teeth, E'n_ee_h_ee_o, 'N_ee_ho,
E'n_ee_ho, 'N_ee_fo, N_ee_ho,
R_ee_'bohn, 'Warrewuk, s. 'R_ai_buk, Penna'w_ei_n.

Water, A'vay, E'vy,

Er'g_ou_r, _Oo_e.

To Whistle, 'Map_oo_,
F_ee_o,f_ee_o,
Papang, Awe'bern, 'Wy_oo_.

A Woman, Wa'h_ei_ne,
Ve'h_ee_ne,
Ra'bin, N_ai_'braean, Tama.

Yams, E'_oo_he, _Oo_he,
_Oo_fe,
Nan-'ram, _Oo_fe, _Oo_be.

Yes, _Ai_,
'_Ee_o,
_Ai_, '_Ee_o, 'Elo, s. _Ee_o,
s. oee.

You, Oe,
Oe.

One, A'Tahay, Katta'ha_ee_,
Atta'ha_ee_, Ta'ha_ee_,

Ts_ee_'ka_ee_, R_ee_d_ee_, Wag_ee'ai_ng.

Two, E'R_oo_a, 'Rooa,
A'ooa, E'ooa,
E'ry, 'Karoo, 'Waroo.

Three, 'Ter_oo_, 'Tor_oo_,
A'tor_oo_, 'Tor_oo_,
E'r_ei_, 'Kahar, Wat_ee_ en.

Four, A'Haa, 'Haea, s. Faea,
A'faa, A'faea,
E'bats, 'K_ai_phar, Wam'ba_ee_k.

Five, E'R_ee_ma, 'R_ee_ma,
A'_ee_ma, 'N_ee_ma,
E'r_ee_m, 'Kr_ee_rum, Wannim.

Six, A'ono, 'Hon_oo_,
A'ono,
Ts_oo_'ka_ee_, Ma'r_ee_d_ee_, Wannim-g_ee_ek.

Seven, A'H_ei_too, 'H_ee_d_oo_,
A'wh_ee_t_oo_,
G_oo_y, Ma'kar_oo_, Wannim'n_oo_.

Eight, A'war_oo_, 'Var_oo_,
A'wa_oo_,
H_oo_rey, Ma'kahar, Wannim'g_ai_n.

Nine, A'_ee_va, H_ee_va,
A'_ee_va,
G_oo_dbats, Ma'k_ai_phar, Wannim'ba_ee_k.

Ten, A'h_oo_r_oo_, Atta'h_oo_r_oo_,
s. Anna'h_oo_r_oo_,
Wannah_oo_, s. Wanna'h_oo_e,
Senearr, Ma'kr_ee_rum, Wann_oo_'n_ai_uk.

[Footnote 21: It may be easily perceived, that notwithstanding some
words are entirely different, the first five Indian languages are
radically the same; though the distance from Easter Island to New
Zealand is upwards of fifteen hundred leagues. The principal difference
consists in the mode of pronunciation, which in Easter Island,
Amsterdam, and New Zealand, is more harsh, or guttural, than at the
Marquesas Isles, or Otaheite. The other three differ totally, not only
from the preceding, but from each other; which is more extraordinary
than the agreement of the others, as from Malicolo to Tanna you never
lose sight of land; nor is New Caledonia at a great distance from the
last place. In the language of Malicolo a great number of harsh labial
sounds prevail, very difficult to be represented in writing. At Tanna
the pronunciation is likewise harsh, but rather guttural, and the
inhabitants of New Caledonia have many nasal sounds, or snivel much in
speaking. It may however be observed, that in the three last languages,
some words are found which seem to have a distant resemblance to those
that go before; as Brr'_oo_as, in Malicolo, and 'B_oo_ga, or 'Boogas, in
Tanna, both signifying a hog, which at Otaheite and the Marquesas, is
expressed by the word 'Boea, and at Amsterdam B_oo_'acka. Yet, whether
these may not have been accidentally introduced, is hard to determine;
because they frequently use two words to express the same thing; as for
instance, in New Caledonia, they call a star both P_ee_j_oo_ and
Fya't_oo_; the first seems most consonant to the general composition of
their language, whereas the second differs very little from
E'f_ai_t_oo_, or Whet_oo_, the name of a star at Otaheite. When they
mention puncturation, it is commonly called a Gan, or Gan,galan; but
sometimes they say Tata'tou, which is almost the same as Ta't_ou_, used
to express the same thing at Otaheite and Amsterdam.]

[Footnote 22: The letters in Italic, as _oo, ee_, &c. are to be sounded
as one. Those with this ", as oee, &c. are separately. The accent at the
beginning of a word, signifies the chief stress in pronunciation is to
be laid there; if over it at any other part, the stress is laid on that
part immediately following. A comma in the middle of a word, either
signifies, that it is compounded of two, or, that the same syllables
repeated, make the word; in both which cases, a small stop, or pause,
must be made in pronouncing it.]

PART III. BOOK III.

A VOYAGE TO THE PACIFIC OCEAN, UNDERTAKEN BY THE COMMAND OF HIS MAJESTY,
FOR MAKING DISCOVERIES IN THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE; TO DETERMINE THE
POSITION AND EXTENT OF THE WEST SIDE OF NORTH AMERICA, ITS DISTANCE FROM
ASIA, AND THE PRACTICABILITY OF A NORTHERN PASSAGE TO EUROPE. PERFORMED
UNDER THE DIRECTION OF CAPTAINS COOK, CLERKE, AND GORE, IN HIS MAJESTY'S
SHIPS THE RESOLUTION AND DISCOVERY, IN THE YEARS 1776, 1777, 1778, 1779,
& 1780.[23]

INTRODUCTION.

The spirit of discovery, which had long animated the European nations,
having, after its arduous and successful exertions, during the fifteenth
and sixteenth centuries, gradually subsided, and for a considerable time
lain dormant, began to revive in Great Britain in the late reign;[24]
and recovered all its former activity, under the cherishing influence,
and munificent encouragement, of his present majesty.

[Footnote 23: The account of this voyage was originally published in
three volumes the first and second of which were written by Captain Cook
himself, and the third by Captain King, one of his officers. The work,
however, as the reader will soon find, is materially enriched by the
communications of Mr Anderson, surgeon of the Resolution. The valuable
introduction, and the notes interspersed throughout the volumes
contributed by Cook, were the production of Dr Douglas, Bishop of
Salisbury, who, at the request of Lord Sandwich, undertook also the
office of editor. Of the amount of his services in this character, we
have his own statement, towards the end of the introduction. From this,
it appears, that Cook, when he set out, knew he was expected to relate,
as well as to execute, the operations committed to him; and that his
journal, in consequence, was faithfully adhered to. This seems to imply
the non-interference of the editor, at least in any important sense. The
same thing may be inferred from what he says respecting Mr Anderson's
journal. And as to the third volume, we are expressly told, that it was
completely prepared for the press by Captain King himself. There is
surely, then, very little foundation for an assertion made in the memoir
of Captain Cook, inserted in the new edition of the General Biographical
Dictionary, vol. 10. viz. that Dr Douglas "has levelled down the more
striking peculiarities of the different writers, into some appearance of
equality." Certainly, we are bound either to refuse such an insinuation,
or to charge falsehood on Dr Douglas, who expressly states, that all he
has to answer for, are the notes in Captain Cook's two volumes and the
introduction. But the alternative will give no trouble to any reader
acquainted with the worthy character of the bishop, or who can
comprehend, how very readily a probable conjecture may became the basis
of an erroneous opinion.

It is necessary to apprise the reader, that the letter D is placed at
such of Dr Douglas's notes as it is thought advisable to retain in this
work, and that for the rest marked E., the editor, as formerly, is
responsible.--E.]

[Footnote 24: Two voyages for discovering a north-west passage, through
Hudson's Bay, were then performed; one under the command of Captain
Middleton, in his majesty's ships the Furnace, and the Discovery pink,
in 1741 and 1743. The other under the direction of Captains Smith and
Moore, in the ships Dobbs and California, fitted out by subscription, in
1746 and 1747.--D.]

Soon after his accession to the throne, having happily closed the
destructive operations of war, he turned his thoughts to enterprises
more humane, but not less brilliant, adapted to the season of returning
peace. While every liberal art, and useful study, flourished under his
patronage at home, his superintending care was extended to such branches
of knowledge, as required distant examination and enquiry; and his
ships, after bringing back victory and conquest from every quarter of
the known world, were now employed in opening friendly communications
with its hitherto unexplored recesses.

In the prosecution of an object so worthy of the monarch of a great
commercial people, one voyage followed another in close succession; and,
we may add, in regular gradation. What Byron had begun, Wallis and
Carteret soon improved. Their success gave birth to a far more extensive
plan of discovery, carried into execution in two subsequent voyages,
conducted by Cook. And that nothing might be left unattempted, though
much had been already done, the same commander, whose professional skill
could only be equalled by the persevering diligence with which he had
exerted it, in the course of his former researches, was called upon,
once more, to resume, or rather to complete, the survey of the globe.
Accordingly, another voyage was undertaken, in 1776; which, though last
in the order of time, was far from being the least considerable, with
respect to the extent and importance of its objects; yet, still, far
less fortunate than any of the former, as those objects were not
accomplished, but at the expence of the valuable life of its conductor.

When plans, calculated to be of general utility, are carried into
execution with partial views, and upon interested motives, it is natural
to attempt to confine, within some narrow circle, the advantages which
might have been derived to the world at large, by an unreserved
disclosure of all that had been effected. And, upon this principle, it
has too frequently been considered as sound policy, perhaps, in this
country, as well as amongst some of our neighbours, to affect to draw a
veil of secrecy over the result of enterprises to discover and explore
unknown quarters of the globe. It is to the honour of the present reign,
that more liberal views have been now adopted. Our late voyages, from
the very extensive objects proposed by them, could not but convey useful
information to every European nation; and, indeed, to every nation,
however remote, which cultivates commerce, and is acquainted with
navigation: And that information has most laudably been afforded. The
same enlarged and benevolent spirit, which ordered these several
expeditions to be undertaken, has also taken care that the result of
their various discoveries should be authentically recorded. And the
transactions of these voyages round the world, having, in due time, been
communicated, under the authority of his majesty's naval minister; those
of the present, which, besides revisiting many of the former discoveries
in the southern, carried its operations into untrodden paths in the
northern hemisphere, are, under the same sanction, now submitted to the
public in these volumes.

One great plan of nautical investigation having been pursued throughout,
it is obvious, that the several voyages have a close connection, and
that an exact recollection of what had been aimed at, and effected, in
those that preceded, will throw considerable light on our period. With a
view, therefore, to assist the reader in forming a just estimate of the
additional information conveyed by this publication, it may not be
improper to lay before him a short, though comprehensive, abstract of
the principal objects that had been previously accomplished, arranged in
such a manner, as may serve to unite into one point of view, the various
articles which lie scattered through the voluminous journals already in
the hands of the public; those compiled by Dr Hawkesworth; and that
which was written by Captain Cook himself. By thus shewing what had been
formerly done, how much still remained for subsequent examination will
be more apparent; and it will be better understood on what grounds,
though the ships of his majesty had already circumnavigated the world
five different times, in the course of about ten years, another voyage
should still be thought expedient.

There will be a farther use in giving such an abstract a place in this
introduction. The plan of discovery, carried on in so many successive
expeditions, being now, we may take upon us to say, in a great measure
completed, by summing up the final result, we shall be better able to do
justice to the benevolent purposes it was designed to answer; and a
solid foundation will be laid, on which we may build a satisfactory
answer to a question, sometimes asked by peevish refinement, and
ignorant malevolence, What beneficial consequences, if any, have
followed, or are likely to follow, to the discoverers, or to the
discovered, to the common interests of humanity, or to the increase of
useful knowledge, from all our boasted attempts to explore the distant
recesses of the globe?

The general object of the several voyages round the world, undertaken by
the command of his majesty, prior to that related in this work, was to
search for unknown tracts of land that might exist within the bosom of
the immense expanse of ocean that occupies the whole southern
hemisphere.

Within that space, so few researches had been made, before our time, and
those few researches had been made so imperfectly, that the result of
them, as communicated to the world in any narration, had rather served
to create uncertainty, than to convey information; to deceive the
credulous, rather than to satisfy the judicious enquirer; by blending
the true geography of above half the superficies of the earth with an
endless variety of plausible conjectures, suggested by ingenious
speculation; of idle tales, handed down by obscure tradition; or of bold
fictions, invented by deliberate falsehood.

It would have been very unfortunate, indeed, if five different
circumnavigations of the globe, some of them, at least, if not all, in
tracks little known, and less frequented, had produced no discoveries,
to reward the difficulties and perils unavoidably encountered. But the
following review will furnish the most satisfactory proofs, that his
majesty's instructions have been executed with ability; and that the
repeated visits of his ships to the southern hemisphere, have very
considerably added to our stock of geographical knowledge.

1. The south Atlantic ocean was the first scene of our operations.
Falkland's Islands had been hitherto barely known to exist; but their
true position and extent, and every circumstance which could render
their existence of any consequence, remained absolutely undecided, till
Byron visited them in 1764. And Captain Macbride, who followed him
thither two years after, having circumnavigated their coasts, and taken
a complete survey, a chart of Falkland's Islands has been constructed,
with so much accuracy, that the coasts of Great Britain itself, are not
more authentically laid down upon our maps.

How little was really known of the islands in the south Atlantic, even
so late as the time of Lord Anson, we have the most remarkable proofs,
in the history of his voyage. Unavoidably led into mistake, by the
imperfect materials then in the possession of the world, he had
considered Pepys's Island, and Falkland Isles, as distinct places;
distant from each other about five degrees of latitude. Byron's
researches have rectified this capital error; and it is now decided,
beyond all contradiction, that, as Captain Cook says, "Future navigators
will mispend their time, if they look for Pepys's Island in latitude
47 deg.; it being now certain, that Pepys's Island is no other than these
islands of Falkland."

Besides the determination of this considerable point, other lands,
situated in the South Atlantic, have been brought forward into view. If
the isle of Georgia had been formerly seen by La Roche in 1675, and by
Mr Guyot, in the ship Lion, in 1756, which seems to be probable, Captain
Cook, in 1775, has made us fully acquainted with its extent and true
position; and, in the same year, he added to the map of the world
Sandwich Land, hitherto not known to exist, and the most southern
discovery that has been ever accomplished.

II. Though the Strait of Magalhaens had been formerly visited, and
sailed through by ships of different nations, before our time, a careful
examination of its bays, and harbours, and head-lands; of the numerous
islands it contains, and of the coasts, on both sides, that inclose it;
and an exact account of the tides, and currents, and soundings,
throughout its whole extent, was a task, which, if Sir John Narborough,
and others, had not totally omitted, they cannot be said to have
recorded so fully, as to preclude the utility of future investigation.
This task has been ably and effectually performed by Byron, Wallis, and
Carteret; whose transactions in this strait, and the chart of it,
founded on their observations and discoveries, are a most valuable
accession to geography.