

NARRATIVE OF THE CRUISE. 181 



Madeira to Saint Vincent, Cape Verde Islands. 



The intention of remaining a few days at Madeira was abandoned, in consequence of 

 the prevalence of small-pox in Funchal : the ship consequently left the island for the Cape 

 Verde Islands at 8 p.m. on the 17th July. A steamer which arrived at Funchal from the 

 west coast of Africa at this time, was visited by Mr. Moseley and Dr. v. Suhm, who found 

 a large number of monkeys, birds, and other animals on board, and purchased two of the 

 common Grey Parrots (Psittacus erithacus), one of which accompanied the Challenger 

 throughout the rest of the cruise, and became a great pet in the wardroom. It is still 

 living, and is in the possession of the relatives of the late Dr. R. v. Willemoes Suhm. 



The soundings in Funchal roads being rather sparse on the chart, boats were employed 

 during the 1 6th and 1 7th in completing the survey of the anchorage. 



The trade wind prevailed during the whole passage from Madeira to St. Vincent, and 

 in the vicinity of the former island, and between it and the Canary group, was very 

 strong; so much so, that in standing in under the lee of Palma Island on the 19th, to 

 dredge off its shores, it was necessary to take two reefs in the topsails. To leeward of 

 the islands this strong trade wind is not felt, and in Funchal Bay, Madeira, where, from 

 the curling sea, it is evident that it exists outside, the weather is either quite calm or 

 such light variable breezes prevail that it may be said to be calm ; nor, apparently, does 

 this strong trade wind extend to any great height, as at Madeira there was no appearance of 

 wind on the hills. The force of the trade wind gradually decreased as the Cape Verde 

 Islands were approached. 



The weather experienced on the passage was fine, but generally misty ; and 

 farther southward these mists thickened into fogs. However, the morning after leaving 

 Madeira was remarkably clear, that island being distinctly seen at sunrise, though then 

 distant 70 miles. 



The course pursued on this passage was varied in order to run under the lee of 

 Palma Island to dredge and sound at Station 85 on the 19th July, and again to obtain 

 another dredging on the submarine peak, which was discovered southeast of the Canary 

 group on the passage to Sombrero. 



On the 23rd and 24th July the sea had a greenish tinge, quite unlike its usual deep 

 blue colour. Green coloured patches of water were also observed off the African coast 

 during the return voyage of the Challenger in 1876. They have been referred to by 

 other voyagers, and are well worthy of further investigation. 



On the Madeira-St. Vincent section nine soundings, seven serial temperature soundings, 

 and three dredgings and one trawling were obtained ; the bed of the ocean was somewhat 

 irregular, the greatest depth obtained being 2400 fathoms (see Sheet 6 and Diagram 7). 



The surface temperature, which was 70° at Madeira, rose gradually to 75° at St. 

 Vincent. 



