Narrative of a Voyage to Senegal in 1816 | Page 4

A Colonel, to command in chief for the king on the whole coast from
Cape Blanco to the mouth of the river Gambia, and charged with the
superior direction of the administration... 1

A Lieutenant-Colonel, (chef de bataillon) commandant of
Goree....................................................... 1
A Lieutenant-Colonel commanding the African battalion, composed of
three companies of 84 men each.................. 253
A Lieutenant of Artillery, inspector of the powder magazines and
batteries, and commanding ten workmen of his arm........ 11
A Commissary, inspector of the marine, chief of the
administration.............................................. 1
Four Store-keepers.......................................... 4
Six Clerks.................................................. 6
Four Scouts (guetteurs)..................................... 4
Two Curés................................................... 2
Two Schoolmasters (instituteurs)............................ 2
Two Writers (greffiers, they supply the place of the notaries and even
of the mayors)............................ 2
Two Hospital Directors...................................... 2
Two Apothecaries............................................ 2
Five Surgeons............................................... 5
Two Port Captains........................................... 2
Three Pilots................................................ 3
A Gardener.................................................. 1
Eighteen Women.............................................. 18
Eight Children.............................................. 8
Four Bakers................................................. 4
Farther for an intended expedition into the country of Galam.
An Engineer of mines........................................ 1
A Geographical Engineer..................................... 1
A Naturalist (cultivateur naturaliste)...................... 1
Farther for an expedition which was to seek upon Cape Verd, or in its
neighbourhood for a spot proper for the foundation of a colony.
A Physician................................................. 1
An Agriculturist for European productions................... 1
An Agriculturist for colonial productions................... 1
Two Geographical Engineers.................................. 2
A Naturalist................................................ 1
An officer of the marine.................................... 1
Twenty workmen.............................................. 20

Three Women................................................. 3
Total 365
This expedition consisted therefore of 365 persons, of whom about 240
were embarked on board the Medusa frigate.

NARRATIVE, &c. &c.
On the 17th of June, 1816, at seven in the morning, the expedition for
Senegal sailed from the roads of the Island of Aix, under the command
of Captain Chaumareys; the vessels composing it were the _Medusa_[1]
frigate of 44 guns, Captain Chaumareys; the _Echo_[2] corvette,
Captain Cornet de Venancourt; the flute La Loire, commanded by
Lieutenant Giquel Destouches; and the _Argus_[3] brig, commanded
by Lieutenant Parnajon. The wind was northerly, blowing a fresh
breeze; we carried all our sails; but had hardly cleared the port when
the wind scanted a little, and we tacked to double the Tower of
Chassiron, which is placed at the extremity of the Isle of Oleron.[4]
After having plied to windward the whole day, in the evening about
five o'clock, the Loire being unable to stem the currents which were at
that time contrary, and hindered her from entering the passes, desired
leave to cast anchor; M. de Chaumareys granted it, and ordered the
whole squadron to anchor. We were then half a league from the Isle of
Rhé, within what is called the _"Pertuis d'Antioche."_ We cast anchor
the first, and all the other vessels came and placed themselves near us.
The _Loire _being a dull sailer, was the last which came to an anchor.
The weather was fine: the wind N.W. and consequently too near to
allow us to double Chassiron, with a contrary current. At seven in the
evening, at the beginning of the ebb, we weighed anchor, and hoisted
our sails; all the other vessels did the same: the signal to get under way
had been given them a few minutes before. At night we found ourselves
between the lights of Chassiron and La Baleine.[5] A few moments
sufficed to double them; we were scarcely clear, when the wind became
almost calm; the vessels no longer obeyed the helm, the sky grew dark,
the sea was very hollow, in short every thing announced a storm; the
wind threatened to blow from the west, and consequently to become
contrary; it was variable and squally; towards ten o'clock it was
perceived that we were running directly upon a danger, called Les
Roches Bonnes.[6] We tacked to escape certain destruction; between

eleven and twelve at night, a storm arose in the north, and brought on
wind from that quarter; we were then able to advance; the clouds
dispersed, and the next day the weather was very fine, with a breeze
from the N.E. but very faint; for some days we made but very little
progress.
On the 21st or 22d we doubled Cape Finisterre; beyond this point
which bounds the Gulph of Gascony, the Loire and the Argus parted
company; these vessels sailing very ill, it was impossible for them to
keep up with the frigate, which to enable them to do so, would have
been obliged to take in her top-gallant sails and studding sails.
The Echo alone was in sight, but at a great distance, and carrying a
press of sail not to lose sight of us. The frigate was so much a better
sailer than the corvette, that with a small quantity of sail, she not only
kept up with her, but even got a-head of her in a surprising manner; the
wind had freshened and we