our
arrival at this island.[3]

[Footnote 3: This matter is now infinitely better regulated in
the British navy, and with most admirable and infinitely important
advantages. By the most minute, sedulous, and perpetual attention to
cleanliness, all noisome stench and all vermin are prevented, by which
doubtless diseases are in a great measure lessened.--E.]

Our next employment was wooding and watering the squadron, caulking
the sides and decks of the ships, overhawling the rigging, and
securing our masts against the tempestuous weather we were, in all
probability, to meet with in going round Cape Horn at so advanced
and inconvenient a season. Before proceeding in the narrative of our
voyage, it may be proper to give some account of the present state of
the island of St Catharines and the neighbouring country; both because
the circumstances of the place have materially changed from what they
were in the time of former writers, and as these changes laid us under
many more difficulties and perplexities than we had reason to expect,
or than other British ships, bound hereafter to the South Sea, may
perhaps think it prudent to struggle with.

This island is nine leagues from N. to S. and two from E. to W. It
extends from lat. 27 deg. 35' to 28 deg. both S. and is in long. 49 deg. 45'
W. from London.[4] Although of considerable height, it is scarcely
discernible at the distance of ten leagues, being obscured under the
continent of Brazil, the mountains of which are exceedingly high; but
on a nearer approach is easily distinguished, and may be readily known
by having a number of small islands at each end.[5] Frezier has given
a draught of the island of St Catharines and the neighbouring coast,
with the smaller adjacent isles; but has, by mistake, called the
island of Alvoredo St Gal; whereas the true island of St Gal is seven
or eight miles northward of Alvoredo, and much smaller. He has also
called an island to the southward of St Catharines Alvoredo, and
has omitted the island of Masaquara. In other respects his plan is
sufficiently exact. The best entrance to the harbour is between the
N.E. point of the island of St Catharines and the island of Alvoredo,
where ships may pass under the guidance of the lead, without the least
apprehensions of danger. The north entrance is about five miles broad,
the distance from thence to the island of St Antonio is eight miles,
and the coarse to that island is S.S.W. 1/2 W. About the mi