Soudan’s proceedings. 
77 
end of that month would be the safest to ensure the 
passage up the riyer without detention, and therefore 
recommended that we should wait for instructions 
from the Government till the 1st of June, at Ascen- 
sion. 
Before however taking these points into considera- 
tion, we will bring the narration of the ‘Albert’s’ pro- 
ceedings up to her arrival at Ascension. 
It will be remembered* that in consequence of the 
illness of Lieutenant Fishbourne, Lieutenant Strange 
was put in charge of the ‘Soudan,’ by Commander W. 
Allen, with orders to proceed to the Niger, and assist 
the ‘Albert,’ if necessary. 
On the 9th, the ‘Soudan,’ having completed her 
stores and fuel, and with a small crew of white officers 
and men, sailed for the river Nun. In the passage 
thither, she touched at George’s Bay, on the north- 
western side of the island. 
Having but one person on board who understood 
the engine — a stoker from the ‘Pluto’ — and his know- 
ledge being superficial, the machinery often came to a 
sudden stand-still, and — against a head sea and wind 
— the vessel made but slow progress. On the 13th 
there was a long delay in consequence of some de- 
rangement of the engine; however, after the loss of 
some hours, it was put in order, and on the morning 
of the 16th, the ‘Soudan’ was just going over the bar 
* Page 25 , 
