Voyage from Europe to Boston
Maximilian’s expedition began with a 48-day voyage from Europe to America. Maximilian, Bodmer, and Driedoppel departed from the Dutch port of Helvoet on the brig Janus. Always at the mercy of the weather, the sail-powered ship was frequently subjected to violent storms, then becalmed by windless days.
June 12, 1832
In the morning, nice and warm. The entire deck is scrubbed. At nine o’clock a slight south wind arises and all the studding sails are spread. On the ocean one sees numerous round spots, which reflect all the colors of the rainbow. The sailors maintain that these are composed of fatty material that the whales and other cetaceans spew out. A school of porpoises swims ahead of the ship. Someone reaches for the harpoon, but they move away. Latitude 41°43′, longitude 40°4′. Temperature of the air 14 3/4°R [65.2°F, 18.4°C], of the water 14°R [63.5°F, 17.5°C]. Noon very warm, the warmest day until now; also, somewhat more wind, though still light. In the afternoon, very little wind. At five o’clock it is dark all around, and we have to wait for another wind, which holds off for a long time. In expectation of this wind, several sails are taken in. Finally, it appears from the southeast. In the afternoon, a species of Scomber-like fish had been seen jumping before the bow of the ship. The fishing tackle was fetched, but the fish disappeared. In the distance far to the north, we saw a brig. Portuguese men-of-war; several jellyfish—not very many—were seen. Wind light. In the evening, beautiful moonlight though even more clouds than yesterday. Between nine and ten o’clock, Proc. pelagica flutter about the ship.