LEAVE THE RIVEK. 
375 
for nine days, prepared for crossing the bar at low 
water. This step now became absolutely necessary, 
in consequence of the increasing sickness of the third 
engineer, Avho was so debilitated as to be scarce able 
to stand ; and the others were confined to their beds 
in a high state of fever. The bar was crossed at 
noon, which, though time of low water, they found 
not less than two fathoms, and not much swell. 
During the twenty-six days the ‘ Wilberforce’ had 
been in the river. Lieutenant Webb ascertained, by careful 
observation, it had risen two feet. From the expe- 
rience of that officer, and the general state of the 
atmosphere, (deduced from meteorological tables kept,) 
he is inclined to the opinion, that May, June, and 
July, are the best months for prosecuting any service 
there, with vessels of light draft of water. The air 
was infinitely cooler in the day-time, and with less 
dew at night, than had been found in the previous 
visit during August and September. Another advan- 
tage is, the diminished force of the current at that 
season, scarcely ever exceeding two knots, except in 
the neighbourhood of the rocks and narrows, where it 
was somewhat more rapid, but never more than three 
and a half knots. 
On the passage to Fernando Po, the ‘Amelia’ 
schooner sprung a leak; and a large galley, which it 
had been necessary to tow astern, was totally lost, — the 
state of the weather being such as to prevent any delay 
in attempting to save her. On the 29th July, the 
