300 CRUISE OF THE PORPOISE. 



Danger, agreeably to the instructions, on account of want of time and 

 scarcity of provisions. This I regret, as I was very desirous that these 

 islands, pointed out by Admiral Krusenstern, should be examined. 

 This cruise would also have embraced the western positions of 

 Flint's and other islands, as laid down on Arrowsmith's Chart. 

 Compelled to forego this part of his intended task, he stood to the 

 northward, for the purpose of fulfilling that portion of his instructions 

 that lay in his route to the Hawaiian Group. 



Between latitudes 3° S. and 5° N., the easterly current was found 

 to prevail, as before observed by the squadron, between 5° and 10° 

 N. They then experienced light northeast winds, with strong equa- 

 torial currents, which with the strength of the northeast trades carried 

 them to leeward, and prevented their making the Hawaiian Islands. 

 This rendered necessary the curtailment of the rations to less than 

 one-half The officers, with proper spirit, shared the privations of 

 the men, and tendered their stores to the commander for the common 

 stock. 



Ozi their way north, New York Island was seen; and on the 

 evening of the 24th of March, they anchored off Honolulu, after an 

 absence of four months and nine days, only eight of which were 

 passed in port. 



The results of this cruise of the Porpoise were satisfactory to me, 

 although it had been found impossible to carry out all the duties 

 embraced in her instructions. The performance of those that were 

 accomplished was attended with much fatigue from the adverse state 

 of the weather, an obstacle I was somewhat apprehensive of, but not 

 to the extent that they experienced. Had I been at liberty, or had 

 time allowed, I should have gladly chosen another season for it. 

 With suitable weather, there would have been ample time to accom- 

 plish the whole. 



While on this cruise, they wei-e more troubled with sickness on 

 board the brig than at any other time during our absence : several 

 cases of dysentery occurred, one of which, as before mentioned, 

 proved fatal. 



From the report of Lieutenant-Commandant Ringgold, relative to 

 the Porpoise, and on examination of her bottom, the copper was found 

 so far gone as to make it necessary to re-copper her. This cause of 

 detention was unlooked for, and I had been in hopes to give her 

 crew a short relaxation ; but there was no opportunity for it. The 

 necessity of a speedy departure admitted of no delay. She was ac- 



