xxvi INTRODUCTION. 



difference in the application of its power ; but the season 

 for the departure of the expedition had arrived, the month 

 of Januar}^ had already expired, the othcers and men of 

 science were all engaged, the articles for presents pur- 

 chased, the instruments prepared, and it was most de- 

 sirable that the expedition should reach the coast of 

 Southern Africa not later than May, or June at farthest, in 

 order that the voyage up the river might commence with 

 the early part of the dr}^ season. 



Mr. Seppings and Captain Tuckey Avere both of opinion 

 that, with a trifling alteration, the Congo (for so she had 

 been named,) might be converted into an excellent sea 

 vessel, and equally proper for ascending the river by the 

 ordinary means of navigation, namely, by sail and oar : 

 and as far as the river navigation was concerned, they were 

 confirmed in this opinion by information collected from 

 the master of a merchant vessel, who had been several 

 voyages up the Zaire to the distance of 140 miles from its 

 mouth, and who stated that he had never found the least 

 difliculty in ascending with a schooner to that distance by 

 the assistance of the sea-breeze, which sets in regularly 

 every da}^ ; the current of the river seldom, by his account, 

 exceeding five miles an hour in the dry season, and in 

 many parts not running more than three. 



The engine was accordingly removed without delay 

 from the Congo, and sent, where it was much wanted, to 

 the new works at Chatham dock-yard ; the proposed alte- 

 ration was immediately made, and on trial of her qualities, 

 Captain Tuckey reported, that " he had no hesitation in 

 saying, that she was, in every respect, fit for the business.^" 

 The contrary opinion had been held by many sea officers, 



