334 Voyage of the Novara. 



steadily in the vicinity of the Cape de Verd Islands as a 

 little further out. 



On 7th July, in 22"^ 58' N., 36° 51' W., the Novara reached 

 the well-known Mar de Sargasso, a portion of the Atlantic 

 Ocean, in which the current, setting from the coast of Africa, 

 encounters a branch of the great gulf stream, and forms a 

 basin of still water, in which is collected an immense mass 

 of seaweed [sargassum hacciferum, etc.) which is propelled 

 slowly forward in long ranks by the action of the wind. 



The 9th July was a day of mourning on board. One of 

 the sailors, who for a year past had been ailing and almost 

 constantly in sick bay, died, and was committed to the deep, 

 the last victim during the voyage. 



Next day, in 37° 37' N., 39° 1' W., the N. E. trade began 

 to draw to the eastward, and gradually became more favour- 

 able, but at the same time lost in strength, till on the 14tli 

 it failed entirely. 



Several ships now hove in sight, and as one of these by 

 her course must obviously approach the frigate pretty close, 

 it seemed a good opportunity to get news from Europe, 

 which the voyagers had for 54 days been speculating upon 

 with anxious hearts. Accordingly a boat was lowered from 

 the frigate and sent to board the merchantman, which 

 proved to be the brig Hero, Captain Williams. He had left 

 Barcelona 50 days before, and was bound for New York. 

 The captain accordingly was not in a position to satisfy the 

 very natural curiosity of those on board the Novara as to the 



