Voyage to the Western Coast of Africa. 819. 



with thunder. One night our masts were struck with lightning, 

 and the Hght at the mast-head was extinguished ; but no other- 

 damage was sustained by us. A ship i)i company was also 

 struck, and a man killed. The sick-list varies from 14 to 18 ; 

 the chief complaints are colds, with slight feverish symptoms, 

 arising from the constant exposure to wet. The lower decks 

 are constantly aired with stoves, which serve to ventilate the 

 berths, and keep the people's clothes and beds dry and warm. 

 The usual allowance of rum is served out in the forenoon, and 

 wine in the afternoon. The salt meat is placed upon an iron., 

 grating in the coppers, which is raised a little over the boiling 

 salt-water. It has thus the advantage of being dressed in steam; 

 and, by this means, I find that it is rendered much fresher, and 

 more palatable to the taste, than by the common method of 

 steeping in the salt-water. Rice is still boiled for the crew's 

 breakfasts, on the days when oatmeal is not allowed. They eat it 

 with molasses and sugar, and are very fond of it. I still con- 

 tinue the supply of lime-juice. Barometer varies from 29xo to 

 29t% ; the thermometer from 62° to 64°. Lat. 34° 7'. 



Lat. 32° 10'. — From the 24th to the 30th November, the 

 weather continued moderate and clear. On the 24th we made 

 the Island of Madeira, and remained at anchor a few hours in 

 Funchal Roads. Some fruit and vegetables were purchased by 

 the officers, but none of the shore-boats brought sufficient to 

 supply the ship's company. The same precautions were still 

 followed for keeping the lower decks dry and clean, and a cir- 

 culation of air preserved by means of wind-sails. Lime-juice 

 and sugar were now given only to the people, as the petty officers 

 have plenty of tea and sugar of their own, and various other 

 articles of refreshment. The sick-list is at present reduced to 

 seven, consisting chiefly of colds, or other trifling complaints. 

 The barometer varied from 9Qfx)° to 30° ; the thermometer from 

 64° to 70°. Lat, 21° 36'. 



Lat. 19° 35'. — From the 1st to the 7th December. On the 

 1st we crossed the Tropic of Cancer ; and the ceremony of duck- 

 ing, shaving, &c. usual on this occasion, was performed on those 

 who Iiad not crossed The Line before. Sailors are, in all situa- 

 tions, like children. Unless placed under control of the strict- 

 est discipline, they run into every sort of excess, heedless alike 



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