Folios 156-216: Surgeon's general remarks: Folios 156 to 159, Her Majesty's Government...

ADM 101/82/2/7

1840-1842

Folios 156-216: Surgeon's general remarks:

Folios 156 to 159, Her Majesty's Government resolved to send an expedition to the River Niger. Three iron steamships commissioned from John Laird of Liverpool, HMS Albert, HMS Wilberforce and HMS Soudan. A table showing their dimensions, Albert and Wilberforce being identical. A ventilating apparatus designed by Dr Reid fitted in each vessel, to supply fresh, chemically filtered air to below decks. Excellent provisions were provided including preserved meats, prepared by Goldner, preserved vegetables, cranberries, pickles, beer, spruce, wines etc. Extra medicine was provided to treat the natives on the banks of the Niger and vaccine from the National Institution and other sources. The Soudan left Liverpool first, arriving in Deptford on 9 January 1841. The Albert arrived on 25 January and the Wilberforce on 5 March 1841. Provisions, medical stores, a quantity of Grant's Patent Fuel, coal and presents for the chiefs of the Niger were shipped. The ventilating apparatus was tested. On 23 March 1841, His Royal Highness Prince Albert embarked on board the HMS Albert at Deptford and sailed in her to Woolwich, where he inspected the Wilberforce and Soudan. Most of the cabinet ministers and many other heads of Government departments also visited the ships, along with thousands of the public. The Soudan and Harriet transport sailed from Plymouth on 17 April 1841, the Albert and Wilberforce followed on 12 May 1841. There is a table showing the officers on board each of the three vessels from Captain or Commander down to Engineers, including clerks, a chaplain and a schoolmaster on board the Soudan. The gunroom of the Albert was also home to the Ashanti Princes William Quantamissah and John Asso Ansah, who were being carried to Cape Coast Castle, Dr William Stanger, geologist to the expedition, and in the Midshipman's berth, Mr [Unwin] Draughtsman. On the Wilberforce were Mr Commissioner Cook, Dr Vogel the botanist, Mr Roscher, mineralogist, Mr Fraser, zoologist, and Mr Carr, the superintendent of the model farm. Total complement of the Albert was 77, comprising; 21 officers, including engineers, 27 seamen, 9 marines and 4 sappers; there were also 16 'men of colour', 2 'East Indians', 3 West Indians, 2 Americans and 9 Africans.

Folios 159-160 recount the voyage from Plymouth to Porto Grande, Island of St Vincent, including cheering by warships on leaving Plymouth, sighting Madeira and anchoring in Funchal, from there to Santa Cruz, Tenerife, use of the ventilation system and the system suggested by the surgeon for cleaning and restowing the holds. On 29 May they entered the tropics, sighted St Antonio and arrived at St Vincent [Cape Verde Islands].

Folios 160-162 describe the island of St Vincent, its towns and population. The population was 590, in the previous year there had been 4 deaths, 3 children and a woman of nearly 100 years of age. Dr Vogel, the expedition botanist, found only 30 species on the island in a fortnight. Dr Stanger and the surgeon investigated 8 craters, all of recent origin, and barometrically measured the height of Monte Verde at 2465 feet.

Folios 162-163 describe leaving St Vincent until arrival in Sierra Leone. Including encountering a cloud of volcanic dust off the island of Fogo and various measurements of temperature, hygrometer readings and chemical tests. Similar measurements were taken during a tornado in the night. The water was tested for 'sulphuretted hydrogen'. The villages of Wilberforce, Aberdeen and Murray were sighted, the appearance of the coast is described. Freetown is described and the surgeon notes that; 'All speak in 'eulogistic strain' of the approach to 'the white man's grave' and to the voyager who has been for weeks traversing the wilderness of the ocean, few places can be more strikingly beautiful'. He contrasts Freetown with 'the unvaried, swampy, dark and uncheerful shore of Bullom, on the opposite side, where civilization has as yet only dawned in vain; and where there would seem to reign a spiritual gloom, through which, not one ray of the Sun of Righteousness has been able to penetrate'.

Folios 164-165 recount the stay at Sierra Leone. A man and woman struck by lightning while worshipping thunder during a tornado. Kroomen, Fishmen and interpreters were recruited. The Emilia [Amelia], a former slave brigantine purchased for the expedition, was cleaned, fumigated and fitted out, 'she was manned principally by blacks'. The surgeon spoke to Mr Fergusson of the military hospital about fever, he said it did not seem to depend on the season. The Albert left Sierra Leone on 2 July 1841.

Folios 165 and 168 describe a visit to Monrovia and the vaccination of 14 children. Two cotton planters were engaged for the model farm. They sailed again on 6 July 1841.

Folios 168 to 169 describe the River Sinoe, the Fishmen and their 'fetiches' [fetishes], the American settlement of Greenville and the voyage down the coast to Cape Coast Castle.

Folios 169 to 170 describe the visit to Cape Coast Castle, leaving the Ashanti princes with Governor McLean, recruiting Kroomen and sailing for Accra on 30 July, and arrival at the Nun River.

Folios 171 to 173, 166 to 167, and 174, describe entering the Nun branch of the River Niger, 13 August 1841, and journeying to Aboh. Villages at the mouth of the river, a visit from Chief Emmery and representatives of King Boy, vaccination of 10 children, the countryside either side of the river is described, as are Chief Apiro and his wives. The separation of the Albert from the other vessels. On arrival at Ibu Creek they were visited by King Obi's favourite son, Atchai, and Ale Hare, an interpreter.

Folios 175 to 180 describe the stay at Aboh and travelling from there to Iddah. A visit from King Obi and a description of him and his costume. A visit to his palace, his wives, 'fetiches' and a ceremony to propitiate the fetishes. The signing of a treaty with King Obi on board the Albert, followed by a prayer by Mr Muller, the expedition's chaplain. An invocation by King Obi's 'Ju Ju man' was prevented by Captain Trotter. One of the ship's galvanic batteries was produced and King Obi's party invited to hold the ends, receiving electric shocks and dropping them immediately, King Obi held them for over a minute. The village is described briefly. On 28 August they resume travelling upstream. A body is seen floating downstream and is described and a flotilla of canoes returning from Kirree market. On 2 September they arrived at Iddah.

Folios 180 to 185 describe the stay at Iddah 'in the kingdom of Egarra' to arrival at the confluence of the Niger and Tchadda [Benue] Rivers and the proposed site of the model farm. The huts in the village are described, their doors bearing marks like Egyptian hieroglyphics. The Attah is described and a treaty is made with him to abolish slavery and human sacrifice. Human sacrifices are performed at the succession of a new king or headman. Castration and circumcision are performed by the 'mallam' and the chief men at court were eunuchs, many of the inhabitants professed 'Mohamedism'. Fever broke out on 4 September. On 8 September they resumed travelling upstream, taking representatives of the Attah to witness taking possession of land for the model farm. Description of the high land surrounding the river and its effect upon the sick.

Public Record(s)

Open Document, Open Description