With good sailing conditions at last, both the Duke of York and
the John Pirie were making good progress, both heading south off
the coast of Africa. By 30 April the Duke of York sighted the
Island of Brava, the southernmost island in the Cape Verde
group, off the coast of present day Senegal, while the John
Pirie passed Madeira to the north. In the fine weather the
passengers were finally able to air their bedding and clean out
their quarters, to the relief of all concerned no doubt. The
sailors meanwhile went about their routine tasks – making ropes,
harpoons for whaling and barrels. Captain Morgan maintained his
regime of Bible reading daily, but his sailors obviously enjoyed
lighter entertainment, paining him by singing their ‘impious
songs’ in the evening. We will try to find some sea shanties –
not too impious- to post on the site as examples. Another of the
nine ships, the Emma, was also on its way and Charles Hare,
secretary to John Morphett, wrote a last farewell to George Fife
Angas and took the opp