TRANSPORTING A NAVY THROUGH JUNGLES OF AFRICA 



145 



intense heat encoun- 

 tered throughout the 

 bush journey, the 

 wood had warped and 

 seams had opened in 

 part, although the 

 boats had been covered 

 with canvas tarpaulins. 

 This necessitated tak- 

 ing out the engines, 

 caulking the seams, 

 and submerging the 

 boats, which then re- 

 sumed their normal 

 seaworthy condition. 

 Our stores and camp 

 kits were transferred 

 to a fleet of large na- 

 tive canoes, carved 

 from huge tree trunks 

 and propelled by na- 

 tive paddlers. 



As the river had not 

 been charted for some 

 years, it was not con- 

 sidered wise by the 

 commander to allow 

 the Mimi and Tou- 

 Ton to proceed under 

 their own power, more 

 especially as this was 

 the end of the dry sea- 

 son. There was very 

 little depth in some 

 places in the river, and 

 there was always dan- 

 ger of running upon 

 hidden rocks or sand 

 banks. To minimize 

 this risk and to in- 

 crease the buoyancy 

 of the boats, large iron petrol drums were 

 fixed to the keel of each boat. 



TRIALS OF NAVIGATION ON A CENTRAL 

 AFRICAN RIVER 



All being in readiness, finally we started 

 off on our 350-mile voyage down the river, 

 every one looking forward to a much- 

 needed and welcome rest after our exer- 

 tions ashore. But our hopes received 

 rather a sudden shock. Within a few 

 hours after starting, both the Mimi and 

 Tou-Tou ran up hard and fast on a sand 

 bank. 



Fortunately, both boats being towed by 

 a flat-bottomed barge paddled by natives, 



"*„,*''" 



THE AUTHOR 



When this African 

 large raised scars on 

 belongs. 



WITH THE EXPEDITION S MASCOT 



pickaninny grows up, he will be decorated with 

 his back and chest to show to what tribe he 



and therefore traveling at reduced speed, 

 no damage was sustained, but the accident 

 caused considerable delay. All portable 

 gear had to be transferred from the lead- 

 ing boat to the rear one. This consider- 

 ably lightened the forward boat and, 

 with the aid of the native paddlers, who 

 got into the water and heaved with all 

 their strength, we managed to shift it 

 inch by inch until it floated free. 



All gear was placed aboard the float- 

 ing boat and the second one treated in a 

 similar manner. This same trouble hap- 

 pened constantly — no less than eight times 

 in one day, I recall — until we struck 

 deeper water. 



