June 29, 1793. West Of Greenwich.

June 29. (Day 52).

Excerpts from the journal of Alexander MacKenzie, on his Voyage Of Discovery overland to the Pacific Ocean. 

     ”The weather continued to be fine. At five o`clock we renewed our labour, and the canoe was got in a state of considerable forwardness. The conductor of the work, though a good man, was remarkable for the tardiness of his operations...Ì therefore took the opportunity of unfolding my sentiments to him...I drew a conclusion that they wished to put an end to the voyage.”

He had overheard some conversations of the men.

     “...assuring him, that whatever plan they had meditated to pursue, it was my fixed and unalterable determination to proceed, in spite of every difficulty that might oppose, or danger that should threaten me...the conversation dropped, and the work went on.”

About two in the afternoon some company arrived on the island. “...we recognized our guide, and one of the natives whom we had already seen; the former began to immediately apologize for his conduct, and assured me that since he left me, his whole time had been employed in searching for his family, who had been seized by the general panic…”

     The guide brings good news; his relatives had assured him that they want to see MacKenzie and to trade with him, and that they will be at the first carrying-place. This was “as pleasing intelligence as we had reason to expect, and it is almost superfluous to observe that we stood in great need of it.”

     “I had a meridian altitude, which gave 53.3.7 North latitude. I also took time in the fore and afternoon, that gave a mean of 1.37.42 Achrometer slow apparent time. Which, with an observed immersion of Jupiter’s first satellite, made our longitude 122.48. West of Greenwich.” I’m not sure why he has taken another latitude reading, as he did one yesterday and hasn’t left the island. (Ironically, there is another island at that latitude, which is only about ¾ of a mile North of yesterday’s reading). Maybe he is just double checking yesterday's reading; he does have some time on his hands while he waits for the canoe to be built. His longitude reckoning, as usual, is a few miles off the actual. The longitude reading of 122.48. W is about 10 miles west of where he actually is.