Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
This had, however, been torn down and broken by some Polynesian
visitors. The haven offered fresh water and timber but little in the
way of food. Thus, when the Frenchmen continued on their way after
a stay of eight days their general condition was but little improved.
However, English Cove was the location of an important scientific ex-
periment. While here Veóron observed a solar eclipse and from it he
calculated his position accurately. Having done that he was able to do
what no mariner had ever done before, make a correct assessment
of his longitude and thus of the width of the Pacific.
On 24 August the master of the
Boudeuse
died of scurvy. Almost
all the men and officers were now afflicted with the disease and half
of them were too ill to work. But deliverance was near. The ships
were cruising along the northern coast of New Guinea and on 1
September they reached the eastern edge of the Moluccas. Aided at
last by accurate charts, Bougainville made for the Dutch factory of
Kajeli on the island Buru:
The aspect of a pretty, large town, situated in the bottom of the
gulf; of ships at anchor there, and of cattle rambling through the
meadows, caused transports which I have doubtless felt, but which I
cannot here describe.
9
Bougainville hoisted a Dutch flag and fired a gun in salute as he
entered the harbour but the local ruler, who came aboard the frig-
ate, was cautious. He had strict instructions from the Dutch governor
to give no succour to foreign ships. However, when all had been ex-
plained, the Frenchman received a warm welcome. He and his of-
ficers supped that evening in the chief's house:
One must have been a sailor, and reduced to the extremities which
we had felt for several months together, in order to form an idea of the
sensation which the sight of greens and of a good supper produced in
