AliRlVAL AT FERJTANDO Po. 
19 
made it so late, when we weighed to leave the Niger, 
that high water — the best time for crossing the l)ar 
— was already past. Nevertheless, it was tolerably 
smooth. We stood out to sea to get a good offing, 
and then steered for Fernando Po with very beautiful 
weather. 
9 A.M. Th. 80" wet bulb, Mason’s Hygr. 76" 
3 P.M. „ 83 
9 P.M. „ 80 
30^A. — Mr. Green the second master, and a stoker 
who had assisted in working the engine, were taken 
sick this morning. We had now only one officer, Lieu- 
tenant Strange, and one engineer, doing duty. Some 
of the sick felt better, but others found the sudden 
change from the close atmosphere of the river to the 
fresh sea-breeze too much for them. The weather 
continued fine. 
Friday, October 1st . — In the evening we saw the 
lofty peak of Fernando Po in the distance, and ex- 
pected to be off Cape Bullen the following morning at 
day-light, but, on approaching, heavy rains and dense 
clouds completely shrouded the island until we were 
close to it, when we discovered that a strong current 
had drifted the vessel past Clarence Cove ; we reached 
the anchorage at 9 p.m., and found lying there II. M. 
steam-vessels ‘Pluto’ and ‘Soudan.’ The latter was 
in a most deplorable condition: Lieutenant Fish- 
bourne, who had been sent in temporary command, 
C 2 
