Friday 29 July 1836

This evening we had a specimen for the first time of the usual weather in a tropical climate. The wind during the day had been calm and we made but little progress, but about 7 o’clock that night a sudden squall arose and was immediately succeeded by a tremendous shower of rain such as is seldom seen in England, for it rushed down like a river; added to this it was quite dark, for the moon had not yet risen, and some gentlemen who chose to remain on deck to witness the squall paid the penalty of their rashness by losing their hats, and becoming thoroughly drenched before they could reach their berths. Mr Thomas and William both lost their hats.