318 VOYAGE TO THE 



CHAP, the westerly current, which is prevalent to the south- 

 ' J ward of Beering's Strait, is very much against the pro- 

 Oct. bability of its being drifted from the southward. 



1827. 



We passed the Aleutian Islands on the night of the 

 14th, and as in the preceding year entered a region of 

 fine clear weather. The volcano on Oonemak was 

 still emitting flashes, which were visible at a very con- 

 siderable distance. It being my intention now to make 

 the best of my way to England, I directed the course 

 towards California, for the purpose of refitting the 

 ship, and of recruiting the health of the ship's com- 

 pany. In this passage nothing remarkable occurred 

 until the 20th, on which day the sun was eclipsed, 

 when we were overtaken by a violent storm, beginning 

 at S.E. and going round the compass in a similar 

 manner to the typhoons in the China Sea. As the 

 gale increased, our sails were gradually reduced, until 

 a small storm staysail was the only canvass we could 

 spread. The sea had the appearance of breakers, and 

 the birds actually threw themselves into the water, 

 apparently to escape the fury of the wind. About 

 four in the afternoon, just before the gale was at its 

 highest, the wind shifted suddenly eight points, and 

 brought the ship's head to the sea, which made a clear 

 breach over the forecastle. Anticipating a change of 

 this nature, we fortunately wore round a few hours 

 before it occurred, and escaped the consequences 

 which must have attended the stern of the ship being 

 opposed to such breakers. The barometer during this 

 gale fell an inch in eleven hours, and rose the same 

 quantity in five hours, standing at 28*4 when at its 

 lowest altitude. The temperature of the air rose nine 



