Page 290
An.1686
Of the miles in a Deg. The Isle of Guam.
for the exactness of these tryals, that have been made on Land by Mr. Norwood and others, con- sidering the inequality of the Earths surface, as well as the obliquity of the way ; in their allow- ing for which I am somewhat doubtful of their measures: upon the whole matter, I cannot but adhere to the general Sea-Calculation, confirmed as to the main by daily experience, till some more certain estimate shall be made, than those hither- to attempted. For we find our selves when we fail North or South, to be brought to our intended place, in a time agreeable enough with what we expect upon the usual supposition ; making all rea- fonable allowance, for the little unavoidable devi- ations East or West : and there seems no reason why the same estimate should not serve us in crof- sing the Meridians, which we find so true in sailing under them. As to this course of ours to Guam particularly, we should rather increase than short- en our estimate of the length of it, considering that the Easterly Wind and Current being so strong, and bearing therefore our Log after us, as is usual in such cases ; should we therefore in casting up the run of the Log, make allowance for so much space as the Log it self drove after us (which is commonly 3 or 4 miles in 100 in so brisk a gale as this was) we must have reckoned more than 125 degrees, but in this Voyage we made no such allowance : (though it be usual to do it) so that how much fo- ever this computation of mine exceeds the common Draughts, yet is it of the shortest according to our experiment and calculation.
But to proceed with our Voyage : The Island Guam, or Guabon, (as the Native Indians pronounce it) is one of the Ladrone Islands, belongs to the Spaniards, who have a small Fort with 6 Guns in it, with a Governour and 20 or 30 Soldiers. They keep it for the relief and refreshment of their Phi- lippine