DEATH AND BURIAL AT SEA. 
171 
abundantly supplied, were “ non est” He had not even a pound 
of fruit on board; the invalids felt this privation most sensibly 
many of whom had come on board without supplies, having 
been led to believe by advertisements, that the ship bad been fur¬ 
nished with a direct view to the comforts of those returning in 
ill-health. From the fare with which our table was supplied, it 
was impossible for a weak stomach to extract sufficient nutri¬ 
ment to sustain life. This was soon manifest, as those who were 
destitute immediately commenced to decline, and were soon 
confined to their berths. We could plainly see that the lives 
of some were fast ebbing away. 
On the 6tli December, in lat, 22° 50’, North, it was announced 
that G. W. Eay, of Maine, was dead. He died at 10 a.m ; the 
gang-plank was placed, one end extending over the side of the 
ship, supported by the rail, the other supported by a cask, over 
this was thrown a piece of canvas, upon which was placed the 
corpse. A rope was tied around the body ; thence, passing down 
was tied around the ancles, and to the end was attached a can¬ 
vas bag, filled with sand. The body was then sewed up in the 
canvas, over which was thrown the ensign of California. The 
passengers now surround the corpse, with heads uncovered. A 
prayer is read by the captain, the ensign is removed, and at 
the word one end .of the plank is raised, and the body passes 
gently into its grave. We are under a full press of canvas 
with an eight knot breeze; the last bubble rises to the surface, 
and the wind passes mournfully through the shrouds, as if sigh¬ 
ing his last requiem. 
At 8 P.M., of the same day, another death was announced. 
Deceased, Mr. Cook, was a young man from Sag Harbor, where 
he left a wife and child. One hour after the announcement of 
his death, he was consigned to the grave, that had so recently 
opened to receive his unfortunate companion. He was buried 
in Lat. 20° 50’, N. 
We were surrounded during the day (7th) by whales and por¬ 
poises, and during the evening, as they would pass through the 
“luminous animalculae,” they would present the appearance of 
enormous serpents of fire. On the 8th we were visited by a 
terrific thunder storm, accompanied by heavy winds. We run 
under close-reefed topsails; and when the storm clears up we 
