PACIFIC AND BEERING’S STRAIT. 
581 
Beering’s Strait ; and only six or seven pieces of short wood to the chap 
northward, notwithstanding the coast was closely navigated in both 
years by the ship and the barge. Besides, the westerly current, which Oct. 
is prevalent in these seas, is very much against the probability of its 
being drifted from the southward. 
We passed the Aleutian Islands on the night of the 14th, and as in 
the preceding year entered a region of fine clear weather. The volcano 
on Oonemak was still emitting flashes, which were visible at a very 
considerable distance. It being my intention now to make the best of 
my way to England, I directed the course towards California for the 
purpose of refitting the ship, and of recruiting the health of the ship’s 
company. In this passage nothing remarkable occurred until the 20th, 
on which day the sun was eclipsed, when we were overtaken by a violent 
storm, beginning atS. E., and going round the compass in a similar 
manner to the typhoons in the China Sea. As the gale increased, our 
sails were gradually reduced, until a small storm staysail was the only 
canvas we could spread. The sea had the appearance of breakers, and 
the birds actually threw themselves into the water apparently to escape 
the fury of the wind. About four in the afternoon, just before the 
gale was at its highest, the wind shifted suddenly eight points, and 
brought the ship’s head to the sea, which made a clear breach over the 
forecastle. Anticipating a change of this nature, we fortunately wore 
round a few hours before it occurred, and escaped the consequences 
which must have attended the stern of the ship being opposed to such 
breakei s. The barometer during this gale fell an inch in eleven hours, 
and rose the same quantity in five hours, standing at 28*4 when at its 
lowest altitude. The temperature of the air rose nine degrees from 
eight in the morning to noon, and fell again to its former altitude at 
eight at night. 
On the 24th, we were concerned to find several of the seamen 
afflicted with scurvy. Had this disease appeared the preceding year, 
in which they had been a very long time upon half allowance of salt 
provisions, and without any vegetable diet, it would not have been 
extraordinary ; but in this year the seamen had been on full allowance 
