SOUTHERN CRUISE. 1GJ 



On the 23d, during a strong gale, we parted company with the 

 Porpoise. On the 28th, found ourselves in longitude 78° 30' W., 

 latitude 56° 30' S., when I kept away to the northward, it blowing 

 violently from the southward and westward, with a heavy sea. 



On the 30th, we had reached the latitude of 43° S., longitude 76° 

 W., when the wind came out from the northward. It being a mild 

 day, we caught with a small hook, several fine albatrosses, ten feet six 

 inches from wing to wing. They were preserved as specimens. 



Immediately after leaving Orange Harbour, dysentery made its 

 appearance on board the Vincennes, and ran through the whole ship's 

 company. Some of the officers were also affected. It proved of a 

 very mild type, and readily yielded to medical treatment. Upon our 

 arrival at Valparaiso, it had entirely disappeared. The medical 

 officers were unable to account for it, the health of the ship's company 

 having been very good during our stay at Orange Harbour. It was 

 not thought to be owing to the water, as they had been using it for 

 two months without any bad effect, but I think must be imputed to the 

 cold and wet we experienced in the first part of the passage. 



On the 10th, we made the island of Mocha. The northerly wind 

 continued until the 11th of May, when we had a gale for several hours. 

 The barometer indicated this gale by a fall of .300 in. This gale 

 seemed to break up our adverse winds, and we w T ere shortly after- 

 wards enabled to lay our course. This was the first fair wind for nine 

 days, the head winds having continued from the 2d till the 11th instant. 



On the 13th, in latitude 36° S., we took the trade-winds, Cape 

 pigeons, and albatrosses still continuing with us. 



On the 15th we made the land off Valparaiso, and before noon 

 anchored in the bay, where we found the Peacock, and received 

 tidings that the Relief had sailed with the store-ship Mariposa for 

 Callao. The Porpoise arrived on the 16th, and the Flying-Fish 

 reached Valparaiso on the 19th, after having experienced extremely 

 boisterous weather. 



RELIEF AT NOIR ISLAND. 

 VOL. I. 2 21 



