Observations Made of the Latitude, Variation of the Magnetic Needle, and Weather, by Capt. Christopher Middleton, in a Voyage from London to Hudson's-Bay, Anno 1735

IV. Observations made of the Latitude, Variation of the Magnetic Needle, and Weather, by Capt. Christopher Middleton, in a Voyage from London to Hudson's-Bay, Anno 1735. | Month | Day | Hour | Altitude of the Thermometer | Altitude of the Barometer | Latitude by Account | Longitude from London by Account | Variat. of the Compass | Latitude observ'd by Smith's Quadrant | Latitude observ'd by Hadley's Quadrant | Latitude observ'd by Elton's Quadrant | Latitude by Assistant of Ward & Smith | Winds | Remarks | |-------|-----|------|-----------------------------|---------------------------|--------------------|-------------------------------|------------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|------|---------| | May | 31 | 6 | 27 | 29.9 | 60.0 | 19.11 | 23 | | | | | SW | Variable, with some Rain. | | | | 12 | 24 | 29.6 | | | | | | | | SE | Variable the first two Parts, moderate the latter, fresh Gales and a great Sea. | | | | 9 | 29.7 | 29.7 | | | | | | | | SW | Cloudy, and squally with Rain. | | | | 6 | 29.7 | 29.7 | | | | | | | | SW | Frequent Showers of Rain, with Squalls. | | June | 1 | 12 | 25 | 29.5 | 59.50 | 23.33 | 24 | | | | | SW | Uncertain squally Weather, with a Western Swell. | | | | 9 | 25 | 29.5 | | | | | | | | SW | Squally, with some Rain. | | | | 6 | 26 | 29.4 | | | | | | | | SW | Variable, with Squalls of Rain. | | | | 3 | 26 | 29.3 | 59.55 | 25.53 | 25 | 59.54 | 59.59 | | | SW | Variable fresh Gales, with Rain and Squalls. | | | | 9 | 27 | 29.8 | | | | | | | | SW | Moderate and fair Weather, with Clouds. | June | June | 9 | 6 | 26 | 29. 9 | 58.28 | 42.16 | 28 | 58.28 | 58.38 | |------|---|---|----|-------|-------|-------|----|-------|-------| | | | 12 | 25 | 28. 9 | 58.28 | 42.16 | 28 | 58.28 | 58.38 | | | | 9 | 26 | 29. 6 | | | | | | | | | 6 | 31 | 29. 8 | | | | | | | | | 10 | 28 | 30 | 58.25 | 43.11 | 29 | 58.16 | 58.22 | | | | 9 | 26 | 30. 4 | | | | | | | | | 6 | 30 | 29. 8 | | | | | | | | | 11 | 27 | 29. 8 | 58.48 | 44.16 | 29 | 58.40 | 58.45 | | | | 9 | 28 | 29. 9 | | | | | | | | | 6 | 30 | 30 | | | | | | | | | 12 | 28 | 29. 6 | 58.22 | 45.46 | 29 | | | | | | 9 | 28 | 29. 8 | | | | | | | | | 6 | 27 | 29 | | | | | | | | | 13 | 27 | 29. 7 | 58.12 | 45.37 | 29 | 58.10 | 58.13 | | | | 9 | 32 | 29. 9 | | | | | | | | | 6 | 31 | 30. 1 | | | | | | | | | 14 | 26 | 29. 9 | 58.12 | 46.11 | 30 | 58.10 | 58.11 | | | | 9 | 29 | 30.23 | | | | | | | | | 6 | 29 | 30. 5 | | | | | | | | | 15 | 29 | 30. 1 | 59. 7 | 49.49 | 31 | | | | | | 9 | 27 | 30 | | | | | | | | | 6 | 26 | 30. 1 | | | | | | | | | 16 | 27 | 30. 1 | 60.14 | 55. 3 | 33 | | | | | | 9 | 27 | 29. 9 | | | | | | | | | 6 | 30 | 31 | | | | | | | | | 17 | 26 | 29. 9 | 61. 7 | 59.43 | 36 | | | | | | 9 | 26 | 29. 9 | | | | | | | | | 6 | 31 | 29. 9 | | | | | | | | | 18 | 28 | 29. 5 | 61.23 | 63. 7 | 39 | | | | | | 9 | 27 | 29. 7 | | | | | | | | | 6 | 27 | 29.85 | | | | | | | | | 19 | 31 | 30 | 61.47 | 63.16 | 39 | 61.44 | 61.49 | 61.54 | **W b S to S b E** Rain and fresh Gales. **N W** Hard Gales, with a great Sea. **N W to N E** Moderate, with some Rain. **N N E to W b S** At 6 made Cape Farewell, from NbW to NbE 14 or 15 Leagues dist. Moderate with some Rain. Much Ice in Sight. An hard Gale, with a great Sea. **N N W to E S E** Most part hard Gales. Under Main Sail and Mizen. Saw a large Isle of Ice. Pleasant Weather. **S E b S** Fresh Gales and cloudy, with some Rain. **S b E to S E b S** Moderate, but hazy, with Rain. Hazy, with Rain and Fogs. Several Pieces of Ice. **S E** Foggy, with Calms. Much Ice all round Resolution. June | Month | Day | Hour | Altitude of the Thermometer | Latitude by Account | Latitude observed by Hadley's Quadrant | Latitude observed by Earl's Quadrant | Remarks | |-------|-----|------|-----------------------------|---------------------|----------------------------------------|------------------------------------|---------| | June | 20 | 1 | 6° 23' | 61° 40' | 61° 39' | 61° 46' | Moderate Weather, most part foggy. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Much Ice all round; fore Part Foggy, latter clear. | | | | | | | | | The most part foggy and hazy Weather. | | | | | | | | | Fair, with much flatter'd Ice, and large Ifles. | | | | | | | | | Easy Breezes, fair and clear, heavy Ice all round. | | | | | | | | | Hazy middle Part, clear the latter. | | | | | | | | | Fair pleasant Weather; much Ice. | | | | | | | | | Little Winds, and fair pleasant Weather. | | | | | | | | | Most Part foggy, with Calms. | | | | | | | | | Several large Ifles of Ice; foggy. | | | | | | | | | June | | Date | Wind Direction | Temperature | Description | |------|---------------|-------------|-------------| | June 30 | ESE to WSW | 29.9°C | Little Winds and calm; heavy Ice all round. | | July 1 | ESE to NE | 29.9°C | Faft in thick Ice, with Fogs and Rain. | | | SE to NW | 29.9°C | These 24 Hours the first and latter Parts fresh Gales, middle a Storm of Wind and Rain. | | | NW | 29.9°C | Hard Gales, with much Snow. | | | NNEbN | 29.9°C | Moderate and fair Weather, with much Ice. | | | WSW | 29.9°C | Working to Windward in Ice, sometimes in a Clear. | | | WbS | 29.9°C | Molt Part fair and pleasant Weather, with much Ice. | | | NEbN | 29.9°C | Foggy Weather, clofe Ice all round. | | | NWbN | 29.9°C | Ditto. Moderate, with Fogs. | | | NW | 29.9°C | The first Part hazy, the latter clear. | | | SE | 29.9°C | Clear Sea, fresh Gales and hazy. | July | Month | Day | Hour | Altitude of the Thermometer | Altitude of the Barometer | Latitude by Account | Longitude from London by Account | Variation of the Compass | Latitude observed by Smith's Quadrant | Latitude observed by Hadley's Quadrant | Latitude observed by Elton's Quadrant | Latitude observed by Sextant of Ward & Smith | Winds | Remarks | |-------|-----|------|-----------------------------|---------------------------|---------------------|----------------------------------|--------------------------|----------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|---------------------------------|-------|---------| | July | 11 | 6 | 31 | 29.7 | | | | | | | S b W | Foggy Weather. | | | | 12 | 27 | 29.9 | | | | | | | Ditto. | Ditto. | | | | 9 | 28 | 29.75 | | | | | | | | Working in loose Ice; hazy, sometimes clear. | | | | 6 | 31.5 | 29.9 | | | | | | | | Much Ice, fair and clear, with Calms. | | | | 12 | 31.5 | 29.9 | | | | | | | | Much Ice, fresh Gales and hazy. | | | | 9 | 28 | 30 | | | | | | | | Loose Ice, large Clears in Sight of Salisbury. | | | | 13 | 29 | 30.3 | | | | | | | | Loose Ice East End of Nottingham, N b E seven Leagues. | | | | 9 | 27.5 | 29.9 | | | | | | | | Much Ice, clear Weather. | | | | 6 | 31 | 30 | | | | | | | | Cape Walsingham S W b W five or six Leagues. | | | | 14 | 27 | 30 | | | | | | | | Shatter'd Ice, foggy West; Island Diggs, W S W five Leagues. | July | July | 21 | 6 | 27.5 | 29.98 | |------|----|---|-------|--------| | | | 12 | 25.5 | 29.9 | | | | 9 | 24 | 29.8 | | | | 6 | 27 | 29.9 | | | | 22 | 25 | 29.9 | | | | 9 | 23 | 30.1 | | | | 6 | 26.5 | 30.1 | | | | 23 | 26 | 30.1 | | | | 9 | 25 | 30 | | | | 6 | 29.5 | 29.9 | | | | 24 | 29.5 | 29.9 | | | | 9 | 26 | 29.85| | | | 6 | 31 | 29.82| | | | 25 | 28 | 29.82| | | | 9 | 26 | 29.83| | | | 6 | 32 | 29.7 | | | | 26 | 29 | 29.7 | | | | 9 | 29.5 | 29.9 | | | | 6 | 30.5 | 29.9 | | | | 27 | 26 | 29.9 | | | | 9 | 26 | 30.1 | | | | 6 | 28 | 30.1 | | | | 28 | 26 | 30.1 | | | | 9 | 26 | 30 | | | | 6 | 28 | 30 | | | | 29 | 26 | 30 | | | | 9 | 25 | 29.95| | | | 6 | 27.5 | 29.85| | | | 30 | 25.5 | 29.9 | | | | 9 | 23 | 30 | | | | 6 | 26 | 29.9 | | | | 31 | 25.5 | 29.9 | | | | 9 | 24 | 30 | **S S E** Cape Diggs SE b S 6 Leagues. Fresh Gales, and Ice. **S b W** Much large Ice; the North End of Mansfield SW b W four Miles. **SW bW** North End of Mansfield SW fourteen Miles. **E b S** Hazy; some Pieces of Ice. **SSW** Much Ice, and Rain. **S b E** Thick foggy Weather, with Showers of Rain. **NW to West** Steering Ice, with wet Fog. **Baker's Dozens** S b W four Leagues. Fair Weather. **N b W** Moderate, with Fogs, Rain and Ice. **NWbW** Fresh Gales. A great Sea from the Southward. **NE** Thunder and Rain. North Bear SW by W five Miles. August | Day | Month | Latitude | Longitude | Altitude of the Thermometer | Latitude by Account | Latitude from London by Account | Latitude by Sextant of Ward & Smith | Winds | Remarks | |-----|-------|----------|-----------|-----------------------------|---------------------|---------------------------------|-----------------------------------|------|---------| | Aug. | 1 | 29° 8' | 3° 26' | 29° 98' | 53° 3' | 81° 20' | N E | South to North. | Moderate and fair Weather. | | | | | | | | | | The first Part moderate, the latter hard Gales, with Thunder and Lightning in with the W. Main. | | | | | | | | | | Arrived in Moye-River Road. | | | | | | | | | | Moderate and fair. | | | | | | | | | | Moderate Gales and Hazy, with small Rain. | | | | | | | | | | Ditto. | | | | | | | | | | The first Part moderate, middle and latter very hard Gales, with Squalls of Rain. | | | | | | | | | | Ditto, hard Gales and Squalls. | | | | | | | | | | Fresh Gales and squally, with a Head-Sea. | Sept. | Date | NW | Ditto, Gales and Snow. | |------|----|------------------------| | | | Strong Gales and equally; great Sea from the North-West. | | | | Moderate and fair; four Leagues from the South End of Manfields; 76 Fathom, Mud. | | | | Little Winds and fair Weather. In Sight of Manfields. | | | | Fair and pleasant Weather. In Sight of Manfields; 4 Miles. | | | | At Noon Manfields NWbW 5 Leagues; Sleet and foggy. Cape Waljingham SW 6 Leagues. | | | | Frequent Showers of Hall and Snow. | | | | Moderate and fair Weather. | | | | Much Snow, with thick Weather. | | | | Paired several large Isles of Ice; fresh Gales and Sheet; thick Weather with Snow. | | | | First Parts hard Gales and Snow, latter moderate. At Noon Cape | --- **Sept.** | Date | NW | Ditto, Gales and Snow. | |------|----|------------------------| | | | Strong Gales and equally; great Sea from the North-West. | | | | Moderate and fair; four Leagues from the South End of Manfields; 76 Fathom, Mud. | | | | Little Winds and fair Weather. In Sight of Manfields. | | | | Fair and pleasant Weather. In Sight of Manfields; 4 Miles. | | | | At Noon Manfields NWbW 5 Leagues; Sleet and foggy. Cape Waljingham SW 6 Leagues. | | | | Frequent Showers of Hall and Snow. | | | | Moderate and fair Weather. | | | | Much Snow, with thick Weather. | | | | Paired several large Isles of Ice; fresh Gales and Sheet; thick Weather with Snow. | | | | First Parts hard Gales and Snow, latter moderate. At Noon Cape | | Month | Day | Hour | Altitude of the Thermometer | Altitude of the Barometer | Latitude by Account | Longitude from London by Account | Variation of the Compass | Latitude observed by Hulley's Quadrant | Latitude observed by Elton's Quadrant | Latitude observed by a Sextant of Ward & Smith | Winds | Remarks | |-------|-----|------|-----------------------------|---------------------------|---------------------|---------------------------------|--------------------------|----------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|------|---------| | Sept. | 18 | 9 | 31 | 30.4 | 60.40 | 58.40 | 40 | | | | NEbN | Many large Isles of Ice; hard Gales; great Sea from the North-East. | | | | 12 | 34 | 30.3 | | | | | | | | | | | | 9 | 31 | 30.4 | | | | | | | | | | | | 9 | 33 | 29.9 | | | | | | | | | | | | 12 | 26 | 29.5 | 59.49 | 53.45 | 38 | | | | | | | | | 9 | 26 | 29.5 | | | | | | | | | | | | 9 | 30 | 29.7 | | | | | | | | | | | | 12 | 29 | 29.65 | 58.42 | 48.52 | 32 | 58.37 | 58.38 | | NW | Fresh Gales, with Rain and Snow. | | | | 9 | 29 | 29.6 | | | | | | | | | | | | 9 | 31 | 29.5 | | | | | | | | | | | | 12 | 30 | 29.6 | 57.28 | 44.31 | 29 | | | | NNW | Variable, with fresh Gales and Rain. | | | | 9 | 29 | 27.7 | | | | | | | | | | | | 9 | 27.5 | 29.5 | | | | | | | | | | | | 12 | 27.5 | 29.5 | 56.49 | 41.39 | 27 | | | | NEbE | Hard Gales, with Rain and Fogs. | | | | 9 | 27 | 29.6 | | | | | | | | | | | | 9 | 29 | 29.65 | 55.52 | 36.50 | 25 | 55.44 | 55.47 | | NNW | Fresh Gales, and Rain. | | | | 12 | 26.5 | 29.5 | | | | | | | | | | | | 9 | 26 | 29.7 | | | | | | | | | | | | 9 | 31 | 29.8 | | | | | | | | | | | | 12 | 27 | 39.9 | 55.3 | 31.21 | 24 | 55.1 | 55.4 | | NWbN | Hard Gales, with Squalls and small Rain. | | | | 9 | 26 | 29.8 | | | | | | | | | | | | 9 | 27.5 | 30 | | | | | | | | | | | | 12 | 26 | 30 | 53.43 | 25.59 | 23 | | | | SWbW | First Part hard Gales, middle and latter moderate and hazy. | | | | 9 | 26 | 30.2 | | | | | | | | | | | | 9 | 21 | 30.2 | 52.38 | 22.23 | 22 | | | | SWbS | Fresh Gales, and much Rain; hazy Weather. | | | | 12 | 19 | 30.2 | | | | | | | | | | | | 9 | 20 | 30.1 | | | | | | | | | | | | 9 | 21 | 30 | | | | | | | | | | | | 12 | 20.5 | 31 | 52.27 | 20.15 | 21 | | | | NNE | Sept. | | Date | Time | Temperature | Description | |------|------|-------------|-------------| | Sept. 28 | 9 AM | 30.2°F | Fresh Gales, and much Rain; hazy Weather. | | | 12 PM | 30.25°F | Fresh Gales and hazy, with some Rain the first two Parts, the latter moderate. | | | 9 PM | 30.3°F | Moderate and fair; Winds variable. | | | 24 PM | 30.2°F | Moderate, with a great Head-Sea from the Eastward. | | Octob. 1 | 12 AM | 30.2°F | Cloudy, with a great Sea from the Eastward. | | | 2 AM | 49.40°F | Hard Storm of Wind, with a great Sea. | | | 9 AM | 30.1°F | Moderate Gales, with small Rain. | | | 12 PM | 30.3°F | Ditto, fair and moderate. | | | 9 PM | 30.35°F | Saw several Ships, founded 100 Fathom. Moderate. | | | 24 PM | 30.4°F | Two first Parts hard Gales and heavy Squalls, the latter moderate. | An An Explanation of the TABLES. The first Column contains the Month; the second Column is the Day of the Month; the third the Hour of the Day, beginning at Six in the Morning, to Twelve at Noon, and Nine at Night; the fourth Column is that of the Thermoscope; the fifth Column is the Height of the Mercury in the Baroscope, the first Number is the Inches of its Height, the second and third Number marks the tenths and hundredth Parts of an Inch; the sixth Column is the Latitude the Ship is in, by Account, every Day at Noon; the seventh Column is the Longitude the Ship is in every Day at Noon, by Account, from the Meridian of London (except where otherwise express'd). The Column Variation, is the Variation of the Needle; and the next four Columns are the Latitudes observ'd at Noon by four several new Instruments; the first is Mr. Smith's Prismatic Quadrant, the second is Mr. Hadley's, the third by Mr. John Elton, and the fourth by Mr. Caleb Smith and Mr. William Ward; the next Column is the Wind for the most Part of the Twenty-four Hours. The Thermoscope which I made use of in the Voyage, was made by Mr. John Patrick, together with the Baroscope; in his Thermoscope he places [°] at the Top, supposing it to be the Heat under the Line, and so the Figures increase downwards, with the Increase of Cold. Temperate is placed at 25. This Prismatic Quadrant of Mr. Caleb Smith I find to be of very great Use at Sea, in particular for the Stars, as I have experienced several times in my Voyage to Hudson's Bay, in the worst of Weather, when you can but see the Horizon; and his other is of great Use, in tolerable smooth Water, in foggy and hazy Weather, when there is no Horizon to be seen, yet have the Benefit of the Sun.