72 
ALTBKATIONS IN THE VESSEL. 
bj which means a slight circulation was kej)t up of 
such fresh air as could be procured. 
In such a climate active ventilation is of the highest 
importance ; in order therefore to improve it as much as 
possible, and to remedy the peculiarity of construction 
in our vessels where the free passage of air was cut off 
by the water-tight compartments, Captain W. Allen 
decided on making openings through these, whereby a 
constant current was obtained, from the lower deck — 
occupied by the ship’s company — through the mid- 
shipmen’s berth to the engine-room, to the manifest 
advantage and relief of all, especially the stokers; 
great care was however taken that these apertures 
should be at such an elevation as not to interfere 
with the advantages proposed in having those parti- 
tions, namely, to secure the ship against the dangers of 
striking on a rock. We had also as an auxiliary to 
the ventilator an apparatus for the purpose of heating 
and drying the air to be transmitted. This was found 
to be much more easily and simply effected, by taking 
off a part of the covers of tlie fanners, which then 
diffused from the engine-room very dry air, and of 
high temperature. Some other alterations and im- 
provements gave us a clear deck fore and aft. 
At Annobone it had been intimated that the men, 
having suffered so much from the fever of the Niger, 
would generally apply, on our arrival at Ascension, to 
be invalided; as, being then in some degree still under 
the influence of it, they dreaded a return to the river. 
