HOMEWARD BOUND. 83 



wind backed to N.E. by N. in a gentle breeze, sky 

 became overcast, and a drizzling rain set in. Current 

 0.9 knot per hour, setting to the eastward. The baro- 

 meter, which at noon had risen to 29.83, fell by mid- 

 night to 29.62. Temperature 47°. 



November 29. Began with overcast weather, wind 

 in moderate puffs from N.E, by N., veering to north- 

 ward. Barometer falling rapidly from 29.62 to 29.45 

 at 4 A.M. Swell from S.W. Moderate sea from the 

 northward. 



From 4 to 8 a.m. Weather squally, misty, and rainy, 

 wind increasing to a fresh breeze. Barometer fell to 

 29.25 by 8 A.M. At 5.30 double-reefed topsails, furled 

 mainsail and topgallant sails, stowed jib, and set main try- 

 sail. At 6.30 A.M. started fires in two boilers. Moderate 

 swell from S.W. 



From 8 to meridian. Weather squally with drizzling 



rain. Stiff to strong breeze from N.N.E. At 8.30 took 



in foresail, foretopsail, and foretopmast staysail. Hoisted 



smokepipe, coupled up, and lay to. At 10.15 niade 



> 

 sail and ran for an hour .under steam and sail, due south, 



to see what effect it would have on the barometer, but 

 as it continued falling rapidly I took in sail and lay to 

 under close-reefed maintopsail and stormsails. Barom- 

 eter had fallen at noon to 28.98. 



From 12 to 4 p.m. Moderate to fresh breeze from 

 N.N.E., gradually shifting to N.W. by N. Made prep- 

 arations for a heavy gale. Sent down topgallant yards 

 and masts. Sent below the two howitzers which were 



