porter's journal. 



63 



gun-deck ; removed the guns from the extremities to mid- 

 ships ; set up the main rigging ; and bent the storm-stay- 

 sails. 



As we had lost an anchor at St. Catharines, from the 

 badness of our cables, I directed a strict examination into 

 the state of the two bowers and sheet-cables ; and, on a 

 careful survey, one half of both bowers was found not trust- 

 worthy. I, therefore, directed them to be cut, which left 

 about sixty fathoms of each cable ; and, with a view of re- 

 moving the difficulty that would be occasioned by their be- 

 ing too short, in the event of mooring, I directed the lar- 

 board bower to be spliced to the end of the sheet-cable^ 

 and kept the other end ready for bending on to the sheet- 

 anchor. This arrangement enabled us to let go three an- 

 chors, in case of necessity. 



To guard against future wants, it now became necessary 

 to economise in every thing that related to the ship's 

 stores. I therefore gave directions, that nothing whatever, 

 of the most trifling nature, should be issued from the store- 

 rooms without my orders ; and as the weather began to 

 get cool, and the wind-sails unnecessary for the comfort of 

 the crew, 1 directed them to be scrubbed and put below. 

 1 also discontinued fumigating with vinegar ; believing that 

 it would be more conducive to health to issue it, and let 

 it be used as part of the ration. And with a view of guard- 

 ing still farther against that dreadful scourge, the scurvy, 

 I gave the strictest orders to the cook, not to permit 

 any person to use the slush from the cask, for the purpose 

 of frying their bread, &:c., as this practice is very common 

 among seamen ; and on board of many ships, but particu- 

 larly captain Vancouver's, the disease has been traced to 

 this cause. We have now been three months from the 

 United States ; in the course of which time, we have been 

 but seven days in port. Our crew, of course, has benefit- 

 ed but little from fresh provisions and vegetables, or breath- 

 ing the air from the land ; yet we have not had the slight- 

 est symptom of scurvy on board. To be sure, the fruit 

 they brought with them from Praya, and the onions from' 

 St. Catharines, were powerful antiscorbutics, and served 

 to correct the effect of salt provisions ; yet, with a more 

 abundant supply of such articles, ships have frequentl)^ 

 been afflicted with this disease, after being a less time at 



