midnight
To the north I could see the rockbound coast of Cornwall . Mine were the first American eyes to rest upon it for more than two hundred years . In vain , I searched for some sign of ancient commerce that , if history is to be believed , must have dotted the bosom of the Channel with white sails and blackened the heavens with the smoke of countless funnels , but as far as eye could reach the tossing waters of the Channel were empty and deserted . Toward midnight the wind and sea abated , so that shortly after dawn I determined to make inshore in an attempt to effect a landing , for we were sadly in need of fresh water and food . According to my observations , we were just off Ram Head , and it was my intention to enter Plymouth Bay and visit Plymouth . From my map it appeared that this city lay back from the coast a short distance , and there was another city given as Devonport , which appeared to lie at the mouth of the river Tamar . However , I knew that it would make little difference which city we entered , as the English people were famed of old for their hospitality toward visiting mariners .