[76] Oil of vitriol or sulphuric acid.
[77] In the year 1776, the Royal Society awarded their gold medal to Captain James Cook, for a paper on “Preserving the health of the crew of her majesty’s Resolution, &c.” Captain Cook considers that much was owing to the extraordinary care taken by the admiralty in causing such articles to be put on board, as by experience or conjecture were judged to be useful. But he adds, that the introduction of the most salutary articles will prove unsuccessful, unless supported by certain rules. The men being at three watches, except on emergency, were consequently less exposed to the weather, and generally had dry clothes to shift themselves. Care was taken to keep their persons and clothes clean and dry. A fire was often burned in the well. The coppers were kept clean, and no fat allowed to be given to the people. Fresh water was obtained at every opportunity. Few places but what offered some refreshment, and example and authority were not wanting to induce their being employed. These methods, under Divine Providence, enabled the Resolution to complete a voyage of three years and eighteen days with the loss of only one man by disease.
We may remark that our author seems to have been fully alive to the importance of caring for the health of his company, and it is not improbable that Cook benefited by some of his suggestions.
[78] Shoals called the Abrolhos.
[79] Snyte for snipe.
[80] Heating pitch, and drawing off spirits in the hold, using a light, are the most common causes that lead to fire. Excluding the air is the best remedy, and no better device could have been hit upon than wetting the rug gowns.
[81] Holes in the ship’s side to carry off the water. The term now in use is scupper: slopper appears to be as good a word.
[82] Swabs are a species of mop, made of a collection of rope yarns, used to dry the deck. Swebban—(Anglo-Saxon) to sweep.
[83] To scuttle—to make openings. Escotilla (Spanish), is applied to the openings in the deck, called by us hatch-ways. The term scuttle is also applied to the small openings made in the ship’s side, to admit light and air.
[84] If impure water be confined in a close cask, gas will be generated, and the effect described happen.