SINGAPORE. 
409 
that the neighbouring coasts and islands are quite the reverse. Al¬ 
though the island is near the Malay shore, yet the site of the town 
being on its southern point, is within the influence of the prevailing 
winds, which it is generally supposed carry off the miasma as fast as 
it is formed ; yet every thing seems favourable about the settlement to 
produce disease : it lies low, with large tracks of marsh and jungle in 
its neighbourhood. The heat, however, is very much modified by 
the sea-breezes, and varies only from 79° to 84°; the mean annual 
temperature has been found to be a little above 80° ; in this computa¬ 
tion, however, I understand the night hours had been entirely omitted; 
had the observations included those also, they would undoubtedly have 
lowered the mean considerably. It was remarked that it rains for an 
hour or two almost every afternoon, and in consequence of these daily 
showers, vegetation has a rapid or rather rank growth. To these 
frequent showers is ascribed by some the healthfulness of the place, 
preventing malaria by maintaining a constant growth in the vegeta¬ 
ble kingdom, and thus tending to absorb the noxious and deleterious 
gases. 
The diseases most common in the East, such as dysentery, diarrhoea, 
and fevers, are seldom experienced here; but, at the same time, it is 
necessary to take every precaution, and avoid the heat of the vertical 
sun. The crews of the squadron were remarkably healthy, and only 
a few of them experienced any ill effects from the heat. One man on 
board the Vincennes, was attacked with a brain fever, of which he 
died a few days after leaving the place. This case was attributed to 
great imprudence on his part, in defiance of all warnings not to expose 
himself. 
On my arrival at Singapore, various reports were made to me of 
defects existing in the tender Flying-Fish. It was to be expected, 
after the arduous service she had performed ; yet, having brought 
her safely thus far, I felt a natural desire to carry her home with us ; 
and in this all the officers seemed to partake. But the idea of risking 
the lives of her officers and crew, after the disaster that had already 
befallen her sister craft, was not to be endured ; and I saw that it was 
necessary to have a thorough examination of her before I ventured 
her in the homeward voyage. I therefore ordered a survey by the 
most experienced persons in the squadron, who, although they could 
not point out any conspicuous defects, were satisfied that from long 
and hard service she had become weakened in her frame, and that 
she would not only need much time, but a large expense, to place her 
in a fit condition to make the voyage home. I must say that even 
after I had received the report I still felt a strong inclination to persist 
vol. v. 2K 52 
