The great importance of steam navigation in the Indian Ocean.

What is considered the best course for ships to pass the Cape of Good Hope in, when they have no occasion to touch there?

To pass it in about latitude 37° or 38° south, in order to avoid the strong westerly current of the Cape, and to take advantage of the easterly counter-current. What is the course further eastward?

From the meridian of the Cape to that of the Islands of Amsterdam and St Paul's, the easterly course is usually run between the parallels of 36° and 40° south. Why has the parallel of 37° been preferred latterly? Because it is believed that there the winds are more steady, than they are in higher latitudes.

At what time of the year should a ship be on the meridian of these islands, to insure the direct passage to China?

Not later than the 1st July, so as to arrive in August. From the Strait of Sunda what is the course? North, through the Strait of Banca or Gaspar into the China Sea.

At what meridian do ships so bound for China, cross the equator?

In the meridian of 105° 30' or 105° 40' E.

What are the times of the monsoons in the China Sea?

From May till October the south-west, and from October till May, the north-east monsoon prevails.

What is the true direction of these winds in the China Sea?

If on the north side of the equator, the north-east monsoon prevails, on the south it is west north-west and west; and, if the monsoon in the north is south-west, in the south it is east-south-east and east.

What are these winds therefore called south of the equator?

East and west monsoons.

CHAPTER XIV.

CURRENTS IN THE CHINESE SEAS.

What is the direction of the currents in these Seas? The currents in general follow the same direction as the winds.

When both are thus against the navigator, how does he proceed?

By seeking outside the China Sea, more favorable winds and currents.

Are these subject to half-yearly changes of wind? Each month renders the adoption of a different course necessary.

What has happened to vessels from the want of an exact knowledge of the winds and currents in the Chinese and neighbouring seas?

That ships remaining too long in Batavia have lost a whole year before they could get to China.

When is the inner passage (west of the Paracels) the most expeditious route?

In March, April, and May, from Banca or Singapore Strait.

In June, when the south-west monsoon sets in, what is the route?

The track by the Macclesfield Bank.

When a ship arrives later than September at Pulo Sapato, what is her course?

She is obliged by strong southerly currents and northerly winds which then prevail, to stretch away to the eastward, where changeable winds, often from the southeast, are met with off the coast of Luzon in October.

What is the eastern route to China during the northeast monsoon?

The best course for vessels bound for China direct, when they leave the meridian of Amsterdam Island between the middle of September and December, is to steer along the west coast of Australia: pass through some of the Straits east of Java, and into the Pacific Ocean by Macassar Strait, the Molucca Passage, or Dampier Strait, thence to the west of the Pelew Islands, and into the China Sea by the Strait of Formosa.

Which of these tracks is preferred by Horsburgh? The latter, passing to the west of Bouroo and into the Pacific by Dampier's Strait.

What is considered the best course in the latter part of January or February?

The best course from Amsterdam Island is, not to enter the Pacific, but, passing through Macassar Strait, to steer along the west side of Mindanão and Luzon.

What is the Great Eastern Passage for ships bound from Europe to China during the north-east monsoon? To proceed due east from the Cape of Good Hope to Australia, when ships are late in the season.

Do they pass through Bass' Straits?

Some give the preference to the route round Van Dieman's Land, and thence, as already described, in the route towards the New Hebrides in the Pacific.

How long is the voyage from the Lands End to Canton, passing east of the New Hebrides?

Two hundred days.

Why is the passage round Van Dieman's Land, preferred for the Great Eastern Passage?

Because northerly winds, and southerly currents are frequently met with at the entrance to Bass' Strait.

CHAPTER XV.

RETURN ROUTE FROM CHINA AND INDIA TO EUROPE.

What is the course for vessels returning from China and India to Europe?

The great object on this course, is to get as quickly as possible into the region of the south-east trade-wind, by the aid of which the voyage to the westward is speedily accomplished.

In what latitude is that wind generally most steady? In latitude 14° or 15° south.

Where does it blow most powerfully?

In the parallels of 18° or 20° south.

In what months is it apt to fail near the tropics?

In March and April.

In returning to the Cape from Bengal or the Strait of Malacca, in what longitude should a vessel cut the equator?

In about 89° east, and steer to the eastward of Rodriguez.

From Madras, Ceylon and the Malabar Coast?

The course is by the eastern or outer passage, cutting the equator to the eastward of 83° or 84° east, and making for Rodriguez, and the neighbouring islands.

What is the best course, during the north-east monsoon, for ships from the west coast of India, the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea ?

By the inner passage, through the Channel of Mozambique.

When are southerly winds met with there, causing delay and danger?

When vessels are either very early, or very late in the season.

Why are hurricanes generally met with only on the return voyage?

Because the "highway" for sailing vessels, from the Eastern Sea to Europe, lies through the centre of the hurricane district.

Is the line of Steam navigation from England, via Singapore to Australia, entirely clear of the regions subject to hurricanes and tyfoons?

Yes.

CHAPTER XVI.

OF THE ATLANTIC OCEAN.

What Ocean lies beyond the Indian or Pacific Oceans (looking west or east from Australia)?

The Atlantic.

What is its position?

The Atlantic Ocean occupies the great longitudinal valley between the western coasts of Europe and Africa, and the eastern shores of America, bounded on the north by the Arctic Circle, and divided by the Pacific

Ocean, by lines drawn from Cape Horn and Cape Agulhas, to the Antarctic Circle.

What knowledge is necessary to a full understanding of sea-tracks through the Atlantic?

A knowledge of the various conditions of the wind, and, next to these, the ocean-currents are the most important elements in navigation.

What proves the necessity for careful observation of the nature of winds and currents?

The facts that, in the year 1825, eight hundred sail of British shipping were lost at sea, and that upon an average, one American, and two British ships are wrecked every day all the year round.

How many miles a day can a sailing ship accomplish in fair winds?

Two hundred miles, or more with very favourable winds.

What was the average rate of sailing among the ancients?

Thirty five miles a day, (See Rennell, Geog. of He rodotus).

What is the chief current of the Atlantic?

The Southern Atlantic current, a continuation of the Mozambique current, which doubles the Cape of Good Hope, round the bank of Agulhas, and enters the Atlantic Ocean as the Cape or Agulhas current.

What is its course thence?

It flows in a north-easterly direction along the western coast of Africa to the parallel of St. Helena, whence its course is more easterly, till it is turned to the westward by the form of the coast, and the opposition of the Guinea Current from the north.

What is the course of this current under the line? It is there called the Equatorial Current, and stretches across the Atlantic on both sides of the equator, till it has reached the middle point between Africa and South America, where it sends off several branches, one into the Gulf of Mexico, whence the Gulf Stream passes along the coast of North America, and across to the Azores where it turns south, mixes with the Guinea Current again, and thus maintains a perpetual circulation.