ays to be seen, by the sea breaking
over them. This island has at present one advantage beyond Juan
Fernandez, as it abounds in goats; and as these are not accustomed to
be disturbed, they were no way shy till they had been frequently fired
at. These animals reside here in great tranquillity, as the Spaniards,
not thinking this island sufficiently considerable to be frequented by
their enemies, have not been solicitous to destroy the provisions
it contains, so that no dogs have hitherto been put on shore there.
Besides goats, the people of the Tryal found there vast numbers of
seals and sea lions; and upon the whole, though they did not consider
it as the most eligible place for ships to refresh at, yet, in case
of necessity, it might afford some sort of shelter, and prove of
considerable use, especially to a single ship, apprehensive of meeting
an enemy at Juan Fernandez.

[Footnote 1: They also distinguish the greater by the name of Isla de
Tierra, as being nearer the main land of Chili. There is yet a third
and smallest island, a little way from the S.W. extremity of the
largest, called J. de Cabras or Conejos, Goat or Rabbit island.--E.]

The latter end of the month of December was spent in unloading the
provisions from the Anna pink; when we had the mortification to find,
that great quantities of our provisions, as bread, rice, groats, &c.
were decayed and unfit for use. This had been occasioned by the Anna
taking in water, by her working and straining in bad weather; owing
to which several of her casks had rotted, and many of her bags were
soaked through. Having now no farther occasion for her services, the
commodore, pursuant to his orders from the admiralty, sent notice
to her master, Mr Gerard, that he now discharged the Anna pink from
attending the squadron, and gave him a certificate at the same time,
specifying how long she had been employed. In consequence of this
dismission, her master was left at liberty, either to return directly
to England, or to make the best of his way to any port where he
thought he could take in such a cargo as might serve the interest of
his owners. But, sensible of the bad condition of his ship, and
her unfitness for any such voyage, the master wrote next day to the
commodore, stating, that he had reason to apprehend the bottom of the
Anna to be very much decayed, from the great quantity of water she
had let in on her passage round Cape Horn, and ever since, in the
tempestuous w