Voyage to the Western Coast of Africa. 229 



ter. On running down to that island, we had at times strong 

 squalls or tornadoes, with very heavy rains, thunder and light- 

 ning. However, the ship's company were all in good health, 

 except a few trifling complaints. Stoves are constantly kept 

 the usual time between decks. 



On the 11th we again anchored at Prince's Island, and as I 

 attributed the people being taken ill on the last occasion we 

 were here, to their going into the water when warm, I gave 

 strict orders to the officer who was sent on the shore-duty, not 

 to allow this in future. 



We watered and wooded the ship as before, and remained 

 till the 20th, waiting for the convoy. We had no sick at all 

 during this stay, except a few slight colds, which did not keep 

 a single man from his duty. The weather was as before, heavy 

 squalls (tornadoes) with violent rains, at times accompanied by 

 thunder and lightning ; the thermometer standing generally 

 at 84°. These tornadoes prevail during the Harmattan season, 

 which generally lasts during the months of December, January 

 and February. While oft' Cape Coast Castle, we were for 

 some time almost dally exposed to them. About nine or ten 

 o'clock in the moi-ning, heavy black clouds were to be seen ac- 

 cumulating over the mountains in the interior of the country, 

 and then gradually advancing towards the sea-coast. As the 

 clouds approach the ship, torrents of rain are observed to be 

 gushing from them, accompanied with the most vivid flashes of 

 forked lightning, which dart down in continued sheets into the 

 water. As soon as the squall had left the shore, I generally 

 caused every stitch of canvass to be taken in, and sent the people 

 below till the tornado passed away to leeward. It is a curious 

 fact, that whenever the clouds approached about half a mile 

 from the ship, the thunder and lightning uniformly ceased ; 

 the dense clouds passed over our masts silently and harmlessly ; 

 and when they were about half a mile to leeward, the same 

 phenomena recommenced which were before observable. These 

 phenomena generally continued for about half an hour longer 

 in their progress out to sea, after which time the rain ceased, 

 and the sky cleared up. To these circumstances I may add 

 another curious fact, which was observed by us frequently, that 

 when the lightning had discontinued dartinu down from the 



