218 Voyage to the Western Coast of Africa. 



After being delayed for some weeks longer by prevailing 

 westerly winds, we at length left England upon the 31st Oc- 

 tober. 



Lat. 46° 53'. — From the 1st to the 7th November we had 

 a great deal of wet and blowing weather. We were obliged to 

 have stoves as frequently as possible in the lower decks to keep 

 them dry, and otherwise attend to the comforts of the people. 

 Our number of sick was considerable, being nineteen, a third of 

 whom were unwell from severe colds, and the rest of various 

 other complaints, of which they had not been completely cured 

 when they came from the Haslar Hospital. During this period 

 the barometer varied from 28t^ to 50 ; the thermometer from 

 58° to 60°. 



Lat. 44° 40'. — During the 8th, 9th, and 10th of November, 

 we had fine pleasant weather. I took this opportunity of get- 

 ting up all the casks, chests, and men's bags upon deck, and 

 washed thoroughly the lower parts of the ship. The stoves 

 were then kept down for several hours, and the crew were not 

 allowed to go below till all was perfectly dry. I ordered their 

 clothes to be regularly washed every Monday and Friday, with 

 fresh water, and a list or account taken of them by divisions. 

 By means of these precautions, I hope to keep the ship's com- 

 pany in a healthy condition. The sick-list is already reduced 

 to ten. The barometer varied between 29y% and SO/^ ; the 

 thermometer 56° and 58°. Lat. 42° 40'. 



Lat. 42° 16'. — From the 11th to the 17th November, we had 

 much variable weather, chiefly strong gales of wind, and a great 

 deal of rain, by which the people were kept constantly wet. 

 However, by the constant use of stoves below decks, there have 

 been no new complaints. I now began to serve out lime-juice 

 and sugar for a crew of 284 men. I found 6 oz. of the former 

 and 12 lb. of the latter to each man per week a sufficient quan- 

 tity. Instead of the butter and cheese, which were expended, 

 they received rice and sugar, the rice being boiled for their 

 breakfast on the days when no oatmeal is allowed. Barometer 

 varied from SO/^ to 29j% ; thermometer from 58° to 62°. Lat. 

 38° 27'. 



Lat. 37° 40'. — From the 18th to the 24th November, we had 

 almost constantly heavy rains and blowing weather, accompanied 



