1846.] ARRIVE AT SINGAPORE. 179 



Passing Tanjong Api and the St. Pierre Islands, we 

 were again making fair progress towards Singapore, but 

 on the 14th, had only reached the vicinity of Barren 

 Island, when calms again delayed. This afforded me an 

 opportunity of fixing its position, and of procuring quan- 

 tities of the eggs of Tern, and other marine birds, with 

 which it abounded. Its position was determined to be 

 in Lat. 1 32' 22" N., Long. 106 22' 18" E. 



On the 17th of May our provisions had run so short, 

 bread being entirely exhausted, and light airs still pre- 

 vailing, that I deemed it prudent to despatch our barges 

 ahead to Singapore ; they quitted us on the morning of 

 the 18th, about 9, A.M. On the 20th, aided by favour- 

 able flaws of wind, we were able to creep into the Straits, 

 and about 10, A.M., perceived the barges, as well as the 

 pinnace, of H.M.S. 'Hazard' approaching, when calm 

 compelled us to drop our kedge. About 2, P.M., the ship 

 anchored in the roads of Singapore, where we found 

 H.M.S. 'Hazard'. Orders for our return to England 

 awaited our arrival with instructions to examine the 

 Cargados Garajos on our homeward voyage. Later in- 

 structions from the Commander-in- Chief, who had arrived 

 at Penang, delayed us until his appearance. 



Singapore, as regards its local advantages, has under- 

 gone considerable improvement since I first became ac- 

 quainted with it, under the government of Mr. Bonham, 

 in 1840. The lines of streets, then only marked out by 

 slight poles with rags, or causeways, or embankments, 

 inclosing certain portions of barely cleared marsh, were 

 now finished, solid ground filled in in many spots, 

 and blocks of houses had been erected. The river-lines 



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