28th August 1832

First Cruise
During the night the weather moderated &this morning we stood in again for the shore. By the time we got within a few miles of the land it was almost calm, but the swell from the ocean was extraordinarily great. This is what might be expected from the gradual shoaling of the water. The surf on the beach was proportionally violent: for 1/4 of a mile the sea was white with foam & a cloud of spray traced for many miles the line of coast. As it was impossible to take observations, we are this evening again standing out to sea, patiently to wait till the elements are quiet.