WeRead Powered by ReaderPub
Travels in Western Africa, in the years 1818, 19, 20, and 21, from the river Gambia, through Woolli, Bondoo, Galam, Kasson, Kaarta, and Foolidoo, to the river Niger cover

Travels in Western Africa, in the years 1818, 19, 20, and 21, from the river Gambia, through Woolli, Bondoo, Galam, Kasson, Kaarta, and Foolidoo, to the river Niger

Chapter 44: METEOROLOGICAL TABLE.—Kayaye.
By Major William Gray
Open in WeRead

Explore more books like this:

History - OtherTravel Writing

About This Book

An expedition sets out from the Gambia and crosses successive West African regions toward the Niger, documenting routes, towns, rulers, and local customs. The narrative records practical challenges—scarcity of provisions, difficult terrain, loss of animals, sickness and deaths among companions—and diplomatic encounters with chiefs and kings that shape chosen paths. Interleaved are cartographic and descriptive materials such as maps, drawings, and costume sketches, plus observations on trade, natural features, and social practices. The account balances factual reporting of journeys and setbacks with reflections on the motives and limits of exploratory endeavours in the region.

G. Scharf Lithog: Printed by C. Hullmandel.

Pterocarpus africanus.

(Large-size)

London. Pubd. by J. Murray, Albemarle Stt. 1825.

METEOROLOGICAL TABLE.—Foota Jallo.

Date. Place. Thermometer Fahrenheit. Remarks.
Month. Day. Fore-noon. Noon. After-noon.
h. ° ° h. ° h. °
February 8 Tingalinta 6 68 87 10 70
— 9 Do. 6 66 98 9 70
— 10 Do. 6 58 92 3 87 9 70
— 11 Do. 6 63 96 10 70
— 12 Dindilicouri 4 53 100* 4 89 9 70 * In the sun.
— 13 Near Sappacourie 6 83 8 71
— 14 Do. 4½ 58 99 4 98
— 15 Cogan and Serrewoomba 3 53 98 10 70
— 16 Serrewoomba 6 63 96 9 73 Noon sun 119°.
— 17 Do. 6 64 96 9 73 Ditto 109°.
— 18 Keeling 6 64 96 8 70
— 19 Ditto and Bontong Ko 6 56 103* 8 70 * Sun.
— 20 Poosa 6 58 97 8 70
— 21 Do. 5½ 53 97 5 90 10 70 2 P.M. in the tent 100°.
— 22 Do. 7 68
— 23 Do. 6 68 88 6 83 10 71
— 24 Do. 8 70 91½
— 25 Dunso 6 64 98 9 70 Noon sun 120°.
— 26 88 3 94 8 72
— 27 Kaukeenhang 6 64 98 10 70 A hot wind from S. at 8½ P.M.
— 28 5½ 58 2 98 10 70 The same a little later.
March 1 5½ 52 97 9 70
— 2 Panjetta
— 3 Do. 6 62 97 9 70
— 4 Do. 6 59 2 98 9 74
— 5 Do. 6 58 96 1 100 9 73
— 6 Do. 6½ 63 96 2 108 9 74
— 7 Do. 6 58 96 3 100 8 76
— 9 Do. 6 63 96 10 77
— 10 Do. 5½ 59 2 96 9 72
— 12 Do. 6 67 98
— 14 Do. 5½ 58 96
— 16 Do. 6 69 95 5 70 8 68 Rain at 5 P.M. fell from 91° to 70°.
— 17 Do. 6½ 74 97 8 68 Ditto from 4 to 8, fell from 90° to 69°.
— 18 Do. 7 70 92 4 71 9 69 Light rain.
— 19 Do. 5 59 87 8 75 Smart rain.
— 20 Do. 7 72 91 10 77 Cloudy in the NE.
— 22 Do. 7 72 92 8 77
— 25 Do. 6 65 87 3 92 8 82 Thunder and lightning with heavy rain.
— 28 Do. 6 70 89 3 92 8 82
April 1 Do. 6 63 93 3 93 9 80
— 3 Do. 6 68 93 3 97 9 78
— 5 Do. 6 67 93 3 96 9 75
— 7 Do. 6 66 92 5 96 9 77
— 11 Do. 6 67 93 3 96 9 76 Heavy clouds in the SE. with all appearance of rain.

METEOROLOGICAL TABLE.—Kayaye.

Date. Place. Thermometer Fahrenheit. Remarks.
Month. Day. Fore-noon. Noon. After-noon.
h. ° ° h. ° h. °
March 24 Kayaye 10 82 Wind SW. atmosphere heavy.
— 25 Do. 1 103 NW. clear.
— 26 Do. 6 72 101 6 96 SSE. ditto.
— 27 Do. 6 80 102 6 82 Variable from SE. to NW.
— 29 Do. 92 WNW. clear and cool.
— 30 Do. 6 71 81 6 72 NNW. cloudy and cool.
April 1 Do. 6 70 87 6 79 NW. hazy.
— 3 Do. 6 77 100 6 81 NE. by E. very hot.
— 5 Do. 6 79 110 5 95 10 81 NE. disagreeably hot and dry.
— 6 Do. 6 80 95 3 99 6 91 Forenoon NW. after. NE. very hot.
— 9 Do. 6 80 109 6 91 SSE. a very hot wind.
— 11 Do. 6 83 108 6 81 9 80 SSE. ditto.
— 13 Do. 6 80 97 6 79 SW. pleasantly cool.
— 15 Do. 6 79 99 6 81 8 80½ WNW. hazy.
— 16 Do. 6 80 101 6 88 NE. by E. clear and hot.
— 17 Do. 6 85 102 6 89 10 86 Forenoon NNW. after. NE.
— 19 Do. 6 81 102 4 99 6 80 SSE. close and sultry.

On the road to Bondoo.

Date. Place. Thermometer Fahrenheit. Remarks.
Month. Day. Fore-noon. Noon. After-noon.
h. ° ° h. ° h. °
April 26 Jaroomy 7 88 93* 2 99* 6 88† * At Lunain.—† At Coonting.
— 29 Tandi Cunda 5 83 95* 2 99* * At Samu.
— 30 Wallia Creek 8 90 97 98 Heat of water 80°.
May 4 Madina 6 84 100 5 98 Wind ENE.
— 10 Bentangto 5 80 101 4 97
— 14 Sabee 9 94 100 5 90
— 17 Loonchea 6 78 100 2 99 6 96
— 23 Ganado 6 85 99 4 96 8 80 The first rain fell at 11 P.M. on the 22d.
— 24 Goodeerie 6 86 104* 3 110 4 113 Oppressively hot and close—* Sun.
— 27 Do. 8 90 106 3 106 10 99
June 1 Do. 6 86 91 6 81† † Slight rain and much lightning.
— 3 Do. 6 87 98 3 97 A tornado and heavy rain at 9 P.M.
— 5 Do. 5 82 92 7 89 Much thunder and lightning with rain.
— 7 Do. 91 Heavy tornado with rain at midnight.
— 9 Do. 8 89 94 7 89  Ditto ditto
— 12 Do. 3 78 90 2 91 Thunder and rain in the evening.

Bondoo.

Date. Place. Thermometer Fahrenheit. Remarks.
Month. Day. Fore-noon. Noon. After-noon.
h. ° ° h. ° h. °
June 14 Goodeerie 6 88 100 7 80 Extremely close and sultry.
— 19 On the march 6 95 101 9 90 Tornado and heavy rain at night.
— 21 Boolibany 9 88 100 6 96 A tornado and rain at 9 P.M.
— 23 Do. 7 82 90 2 98  Ditto ditto at 7 A.M.
— 26 Do. 10 87 96 2 96 11 82 Wind NW. cool and clear.
— 27 Do. 7 88 98 4 96 7 89 Cloudy, thunder, and rain.
— 29 Do. 3 84 84 2 88 A heavy tornado and rain at 3 A.M. from NE.
July 2 Samba Contaye 92 5 88 8 86 Light clouds, appearance of rain.
— 5 Do. 5 85 99 2 98 6 90 Cloudy and rain.
— 7 Do. 86 4 88 8 76 Wind NW.
— 10 Do. 6 88 94 8 84 Rain and tornado.
— 15 Do. 6 89 90 2 90 8 84 Rain all day.
— 20 Do. 7 89 90 7 87 Rain afternoon.
— 24 Do. 6 87 100 8 84 Light rain all day.
— 26 Do. 8 90 97 8 80 A violent tornado at night.
— 29 Do. 6 85 98 8 80 Much heavy rain.
August 1 Do. 97 8 70 Slight rain.
— 3 Do. 6 74 82 8 72 Ditto all day.
— 4 Do. 6 73 83 6 80 Ditto.
— 5 Do. 6 70 80 8 73 A heavy tornado.
— 6 Do. 6 71 86 8 80 Light rain.
— 7 Do. 6 71 82 3 85 8 80 Ditto.
— 10 Do. 6 72 79 4 85 8 78 Nearly calm.
— 11 Do. 6 73 84 8 77 Rain at 8 P.M.
— 14 Do. 6 75 87 8 79 Much rain.

METEOROLOGICAL JOURNAL, Bondoo, 1818.

Date. Therm. Fahrenheit, in the shade. State of the atmosphere. Remarks.
Month. Day. 6 A.M. Noon. 3 P.M. 8 P.M. Forenoon. Afternoon.
° ° ° °
August 16 76 85 87½ 85 Cloudy. Clear.
— 17 77 85 88 84 Do.* Rain. * Accompanied by a tornado.
— 18 75 79 81 85 Do. Do.
— 19 78 85 84 78 Rain*. Do. * Very heavy.
— 20 73 77 86 80 Do. Cloudy.
— 21 74 84 83 82 Clear. Clear.
— 22 77 83 88 79 Rain*. Cloudy. * Accompanied by tornado.
— 23 76 85 87 84 Cloudy. Do.
— 24 70 80 87 80 Rain*. Cloudy. * Slight.
— 25 73 82 86 85 Cloudy. Rain†. † Do.
— 26 71 82 85 87 Do. Do. Do.
— 27 74 85 85 88 Do. Cloudy.
— 28 72 85 85 84 Do. Do.
— 29 79 81 86 83 Do. Do.
— 30 79 84 86 80 Rain*. Do. * Slight.
— 31 76 82 88 80 Haze. Rain†. Do.
September 1 70 81 88½ 83 Rain*. Do. * Accompanied by a tornado.
— 2 75 80 79 76 Rain. Rain. Slight.
— 3 74 77 86 76 Do. Do. Do.
— 4 78 80 83 77 Cloudy. Cloudy.
— 5 78½ 84 85 82 Do. Do.
— 6 73 79 81 70 Do. Do.
— 7 77 84 87 82 Clear. Clear.
— 8 76 82 88 80 Cloudy. Rain†. † Slight.
— 9 75 82 84 81 Clear. Do. Do.
— 10 77 82 87½ 85 Rain. Do. Heavy, with tornado.
— 11 71 77 79 74 Do. Cloudy. Slight.
— 12 75 80 83 78 Cloudy. Do.
— 13 72 80 86 83 Rain. Do. Slight.
— 14 78 71 75 72 Do. Rain. Do.
— 15 75 80 85 81 Cloudy. Cloudy.
— 16 74 81 86 82 Do. Do.
— 17 75 69 71 73½ Rain. Rain. Heavy.
— 18 71 73 75 82 Do. Cloudy.
— 19 72 84 85 80 Cloudy. Rain. Slight.
— 20 73 85 91 94 Haze. Do. Do.
— 21 73 79 83 74 Rain. Rain. Slight.
— 22 70 81 82 80 Cloudy. Cloudy.
— 23 73 83 91 88 Clear. Do.
— 24 76 86 88 89 Haze. Do.
— 25 70 79 83 80 Rain. Rain. Heavy.
— 26 74 86 90 86 Do. Clear.
— 27 74 80 85 84 Clear. Do.
— 28 75 82 84 80 Do. Do.
— 29 72 80 83 82 Cloudy. Rain. Slight.
— 30 73 83 84 83 Rain. Clear. Do.
October 1 74 80 85 83 Cloudy. Rain. Do.
— 2 71 80 82 83 Rain. Clear. Do.
— 3 73 86 88 86 Clear. Do.
— 4 75 82 87 89 Do. Do.
— 5 70 78 84 85 Cloudy. Do.
— 6 72 86 90 87 Do. Rain. Heavy.
— 7 74 81 84 80 Clear. Clear.
— 8 77 85 89 87 Do. Do.
— 9 80 88 92 89 Cloudy. Cloudy.
— 10 78 84 91 89 Clear. Clear.
— 11 79 87 90 88 Do. Do.
— 12 77 87 90 86 Do. Do.
— 13 78 89 90 87 Do. Do.
— 14 78 87 91 87 Do. Cloudy.
— 15 80 88 90 86 Cloudy. Do.
— 16 78 87 89 88 Do. Do.
— 17 79 91 94 89 Rain. Rain. Heavy.
— 18 77 90 92 87 Clear. Clear.
— 19 72 87 90 89 Do. Do.
— 20 74 89 93 90 Do. Hazy.
— 21 75 88 92 91 Hazy. Do.
— 22 74 89 96 97 Clear. Clear.
— 23 79 90 95 54
— 24 79 91 93 90 Dark and hazy. Dark and hazy.
— 25 74 89 94 90 Do. cloudy. Do. cloudy.
— 26 77 90 94 87 Cloudy, rain. Cloudy and rain. Slight.
— 27 78 91 95 95 Clear. Clear.
— 28 75 90 94 91 Do. Do.
— 29 72 86 92 90 Clear. Clear. ⎫
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎬
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎭		 Winds from SW. to W. and NW.
— 30 73 87 93 86 Do. Cloudy.
— 31 71 86 89 88 Cloudy. Do.
November 1 68 79 84 86 Clear. Clear.
— 2 67 84 90 86 Do. Do.
— 3 71 90 94 89 Do. Do.
— 4 70 90 95 90 Cloudy. Cloudy.
— 5 72 90 96 90 Clear. Clear.
— 6 70 97 90 87 Do. Do.
— 7 70 90 90 85 Do. Do.
— 8 71 92 92 83 Do. Do.
— 9 71 93 94 84 Do. Do.
— 10 70 90 92 87 Cloudy. Cloudy.
— 11 71 92 94 86 Clear. Clear.
— 12 71 92 93 85 Do. Do.
— 13 70 90 94 87 Cloudy. Cloudy.
— 14 71 89 92 89 Clear. Clear.
— 15 70 89 94 89 Do. Do.
— 16 70 88 92 89 Do. Do.
— 17 70 88 90 86 Cloudy. Cloudy. ⎫
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎬
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎭		 Winds NE. and E. occasionally NNW.
— 18 70 89 90 84 Clear. Clear.
— 19 72 89 90 83 Do. Do.
— 20 71 88 89 82 Do. Do.
— 21 71 88 88 83 Cloudy. Cloudy.
— 22 72 89 87 82 Clear. Clear.
— 23 70 87 87 81 Do. Do.
— 24 71 86 87 82 Cloudy. Cloudy.
— 25 70 87 88 80 Do. Do.
— 26 70 85 86 80 Clear. Clear.
— 27 70 86 85 80 Do. Do.
— 28 71 88 87 79 Do. Do.
— 29 70 86 84 78 Cloudy. Cloudy.
— 30 71 87 86 78 Do. Do.
December 1 70 86 84 77 Do. Do.
— 2 71 85 84 78 Do. Do.
— 3 70 87 85 79 Do. Do.
— 4 69 84 84 74 Do. Do.
— 5 69 86 84 73 Do. Do.
— 6 70 86 86 75 Clear. Clear. ⎫
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎬
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎭		 Winds N. to NE. and E., occasionally NNW.
— 7 70 87 86 74 Do. Do.
— 8 69 86 85 72 Do. Do.
— 9 69 87 85 70 Do. Do.
— 10 68 88 87 71 Do. Do.
— 11 70 88 86 70 Do. Do.
— 12 69 86 84 69 Do. Do.
— 13 70 86 85 69 Do. Do.
— 14 71 86 84 68 Do. Do.
— 15 69 86 84 65 Do. Do.
— 16 70 88 87 66 Do. Do.
— 17 68 85 85 64 Cloudy. Cloudy.
— 18 68 85 84 65 Do. Do.
— 19 68 86 84 65 Clear. Clear.
— 20 69 87 87 68 Cloudy. Cloudy.
— 21 69 87 87 68 Clear. Clear.
— 22 70 87 87 66 Do. Do.
— 23 69 86 86 64 Do. Do.
— 24 70 84 84 66 Do. Do.
— 25 70 86 85 63 Cloudy. Cloudy. ⎫
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎬
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎭		 Winds from N. to E. occasionally NW.

The only thermometer I had, was broken in moving to Boolibany, and I was unable to procure another, the French officers at Galam having but one.
— 26 69 85 84 64 Clear. Clear.
— 27 69 85 85 64 Do. Do.
— 28 70 85 84 65 Do. Do.
— 29 69 85 84 65 Cloudy. Cloudy.
— 30 69 85 85 64 Do. Clear.
— 31 68 84 84 62 Clear. Do.
1819.
January 1 68 84 83 62 Clear. Clear.
— 2 69 85 84 64 Do. Do.
— 3 69 86 85 64 Do. Do.
— 4 70 87 87 66 Do. Do.
— 5 70 88 87 65 Do. Do.
— 6 69 86 86 62 Do. Do.
— 7 69 86 85 61 Do. Do.
— 8 69 86 84 61 Do. Do.
— 9 70 86 86 63 Cloudy. Cloudy.
— 10 70 87 87 64 Do. Do.
— 11 70 87 87 64 Clear. Clear.

METEOROLOGICAL TABLE.—Galam.

Month. Place. Greatest average height.—Reaumur. Greatest ave­rage fall. Remarks.
Hour. Deg. Hour. Deg.
1819.
July Baquelle 3 P.M. 29 4 A.M. 18 There were eight days’ rain, accompanied by tornados; the winds (with only two days’ variation) were SE. and S.
August Do. 3 P.M. 26½ 3 A.M. 17 Nine days’ rain, only one tornado, on the 2d; winds variable from S. to NW., and one day NNW.
September Do. 3 P.M. 26 When raining. 17 Sixteen days’ rain, six tornados, wind variable from E. to S. and W.
October Do. ⎰
⎱		 10 A.M. ⎱
⎰		 29 4 A.M. 18 Three days’ rain, two tornados without rain, wind variable, mostly easterly.
3 P.M.
November Do. * ⎰
⎱		 10 A.M. ⎱
⎰		 28 4 A.M. 17 No rain or tornado, wind chiefly easterly, with a few variations to the N. and W.
3 P.M.
December Do. † ⎰
⎱		 10 A.M. ⎱
⎰		 27 4 A.M. 13 Wind from N. to E. On the 25th at 5 A.M. 12°.
3 P.M.
1820.
January Do. † ⎰
⎱		 10 A.M. ⎱
⎰		 26½ 4 A.M. 14 Same wind as December, with occasional changes to NW.
3 P.M.
February Do. † ⎰
⎱		 10 A.M. ⎱
⎰		 28 5 A.M. 14 Fine clear weather, very hot, with occasional W. winds.
3 P.M.
March Do. † ⎰
⎱		 10 A.M. ⎱
⎰		 31 5 A.M. 15 Strong E. wind, variable to N. One day therm. stood an hour at 34°.
3 P.M.
April Do. † ⎰
⎱		 10 A.M. ⎱
⎰		 32 5 A.M. 16 Strong N. and E. winds. Therm. varied from 23° to 35°.
3 P.M.
May Do. † ⎰
⎱		 10 A.M. ⎱
⎰		 33 4 A.M. 17 A tornado without rain on the 10th; wind from S. to E. and W.; three days’ slight showers.
3 P.M.
June Do. †3 P.M. 32 4 A.M. 16 Winds variable in every direction; five tornados, and six days’ rain.
* The east wind during the day, gave a rise of from 3° to 4°.
Do. do. the night, a fall of from 6° to 7°.
During those months, the east wind, which is very hot in the day and cool at night, and until sunrise, is often succeeded by pleasant breezes from the west.
The river, which commences rising in the first week of June, reaches 40 feet above its lowest level, and, in 1820, began to fall again about the middle of September.
† Ut suprà, p. 412, in notis.