June 18^8. 



SHORT STAY AT PORT OTWAY. 



181 



incessant and heavy rain, accompanied by strong gales, the 

 health of the ship^s company had been seriously affected, par- 

 ticularly with pulmonic complaints, catarrhal, and rheumatic 

 affections ; and that, as a recurrence of them would probably 

 prove fatal in many instances, a temporary cessation would be 

 of the greatest advantage to the crew, by affording an oppor- 

 tunity of recruiting their health/ 



" On receiving the above communication from the surgeon, 

 I ordered the yards and topmasts to be struck, and the ship 

 covered over with sails. Precaution was used to prevent the 

 people from being subjected to frequent exposure, by not 

 employing any of them in boats, except once a day in procur- 

 ing muscles, and every thing was avoided that could in the 

 least interfere with the recovery of their health : but this place 

 is exceedingly ill adapted for the winter quarters of a ship's 

 company, as the woods that surround it, down even to the 

 water's edge, allow no space for exercise on shore, and there is 

 neither game nor fish to be procured, except shell-fish ; of 

 which, fortunately (muscles and clams), we found an abun- 

 dance, and they proved useful in removing symptoms of scurvy, 

 besides affording a change of diet. The place being destitute 

 of inhabitants, is without that source of recreation, which 

 intercourse with any people, however uncivilized, would afford 

 a ship's company after a laborious and disagreeable cruise in 

 these dreary solitudes. Every port along this coast is alike ill 

 suited for a winter's residence, and it was only our peculiar 

 situation that induced me to determine on making a short 

 stay at this place." 



Here poor Captain Stokes's remarks and notes end. Those 

 who have been exposed to one of such trials as his, upon an 

 unknown lee shore, during the worst description of weather, 

 will understand and appreciate some of those feelings which 

 wrought too powerftdly upon his excitable mind. 



The Beagle remained quiet until the 29th of June, when the 

 surgeon reported " the crew sufficiently healthy to perform 

 their duties without any material injury to their consticutions." 



