INTRODUCTION. } j 



The stay of the squadron at Singapore was from the 19th January 

 till the 26th February. The barometer ranged 29-979 in., the max- 

 imum temperature 87, minimum 74. The climate is very equable, 

 seldom varying more than a few degrees throughout the year, from 

 79 to 84 ; this includes the hours between A.M. and 6 P.M., the 

 mean being 8O18. Showers occur almost daily, which refresh and 

 cool the air ; the wind blows moderately, generally through the straits 

 from the eastward, being little influenced by the monsoons. Neither 

 the typhoons of the China Sea nor the hurricanes of the Indian Ocean 

 are felt here ; they frequently, however, are notified that these destruc- 

 tive phenomena are taking place, not only from the rise of the waters, 

 but the rolling in of heavy swells. According to reliable information, 

 rain falls one-half of the year; the greatest quantity in December and 

 January, and the least in April and May. During the former period, 

 the northeast monsoon is at its height, and in the latter, it changes 

 from the northeast to southwest. The greatest daily range of the 

 thermometer is 10. During February, the degree of moisture was 

 879. I have already stated that the climate of Singapore is thought 

 a remarkably healthful one, and ascribe it to the constant verdure 

 brought about by the continual showers, as well as the absence of 

 any variation of temperature. 



FROM SIHGAPOBE TO CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. Our passage was made 

 between the above places in the months of March, April, and May. 

 As we passed towards the Straits of Sunda, we found that we were 

 encountering the weather usual towards the end of the northeast 

 monsoon ; it was frequently overcast, and during the night much rain 

 fell, with lightning and thunder, and a failure of the wind, with gusts 

 frqm the westward. Passing out of the Straits, we encountered north- 

 westerly winds, and during their continuance we had almost inces- 

 sant wet weather, until we reached latitude 17 south, and longi- 

 tude 98 east, when we entered the southeast trade winds, which 

 continued until we arrived in longitude 38 east, and in latitude 

 28 south. As this passage was made during the season of the hurri- 

 canes, I was in hopes we should have encountered one ; twice we had 

 strong indications of the near approach of one. In longitude 80 east, 

 latitude 20 south, we must have been but little removed from the vor- 

 tex of one of these gales : the wind shifted to the north, the barometer 

 fell to 29-79 in., occasionally oscillating, and continued to do so for the 

 period of 24 hours. The heavy swells came rapidly from the westward, 

 through a distance of seventy miles, and the next day it changed its 



