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It is for this reason that a vessel should always keep on the Lombock shore, in order to profit by the tide, which is felt there, and with which she may work against a foul wind, and anchor when the tide is against her. It is always more difficult to pass through to the southward than the northward, because the currents from the southward, accompanied by strong southerly winds, are formed by the vast body of water from the ocean rushing through the strait: whereas, those from the north are interrupted by the islands of the Archipelago, and impeded in their progress by obstacles from which those from the southward are entirely free.

BANK OFF THE NORTH COAST OF BRAZIL.-Vessel struck.

WE perceive by a notice in the "Annales Maritimes," that a French ship has grounded on a bank off the coast of Para, the position of which, according to the account given, we can only suppose to be in latitude 2° 18" S., and longitude 43° 7' W. of Greenwich, nearly where 4 fathoms are marked in the charts constructed from Roussin's survey. The following is the notice alluded to, which is an extract from a letter of Mr. Charles Leraistre, commander of the ship Emily, of Nantes.

When passing the Lançoes Grandes, and N. by E. of the most remarkable sand-hill, seven or eight miles from the land, in seven to nine fathoms, at half-past twelve P.M., the Emily got into shoal water, upon a bank of 24 fathoms, which appeared to be of small extent, around which I found seven fathoms. The vessel was going two knots at the time, and at noon was in 2° 20′ 2′′ south latitude.

The bank is situated within a very little of the track of the sloop, . La Bayadere, and where five between seven and nine fathoms are found. It is probable that this sounding was obtained on the edge of the shoal water, for, I think that a vessel running four knots would cross it sufficiently rapidly, so as to get only one shoal sounding.

This bank is very dangerous, because it is situated in the route that a large vessel would take, and at a distance from the land that would remove all apprehension of danger. It was low water when I touched, or thereabouts, and from aloft only one green patch of trifling extent was to be seen resembling others on these shores.

Two of the shocks were rather violent but not sufficiently so, to produce great damage. The vessel made no water, nor do I consider the false keel was damaged. The editor of the " Annales Maritimes" adds the following note. "In giving the description of the coast of Brazil, and of the tracks which have been sounded for the benefit of navigation, the Brazil pilot has filled up an important gap; but the task is far from accomplished, and a complete knowledge of these

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localities can only be acquired by time. It is, therefore, necessary that navigators should be constantly on their guard, when they are not certain of being exactly in the track of the Bayadere. Hitherto, no error has been found in these tracks; but if the limits she has prescribed are exceeded, the means of safety she has taken only should be trusted-watch and sound!"

This is sufficient caution to all masters of vessels, and we shall be thankful to any of our readers who will give us a confirmation of the above, and the position of the most remarkable sand-hill alluded to of the Lançoes Grandes.

THE RIVER PLATE.-Observations on the anchorage off Buenos Ayres. By Mr. R. Thompson, Master of H.M.S. Imogene. ON the 22nd of October, 1836, we left Monte Video for Buenos Ayres, with a pilot on board, (Mr. Allen.) At Monte Video, moorings are laid down for the pilot schooner, which lies with Point Indio, bearing S.W. by S. (compass,) ten or eleven miles; and she generally keeps a light at her mast-head. This is a good guide for vessels passing up, enabling them to shape a course between the Chico and Ortiz Banks; or in passing down the river, it enables them to shape a course clear of the east end of the Ortiz; or for clearing the English Bank. In fact, if the vessel can be made, she will always give a new departure, a most desirable object in this uncertain river. On leaving Monte Video, and bound to Buenos Ayres, if the pilot schooner be not seen where and when the pilot expects to see her, there cannot be a doubt of her having left her moorings, or that the vessel is not in a proper place. At the time we expected to see her, (which was midnight, and we burnt several blue lights as well as fired several guns in order to draw their attention) she was at Buenos Ayres.

Having missed the vessel, or being unable to find her, I would strongly recommend anchoring until daylight, and taking a departure from Point Indio, or the Embudo trees, all well described in the sailing directions of this place.

On the 23rd, we anchored off Buenos Ayres with the cathedral bearing S.W. by W. Point Guilmas, S. by E. E., about seven miles from the shore; and, on the 25th, shifted our berth nearer the shore two miles, and moored with best bower, E.S. E., small bower, W.N. W., fifty fathoms each; Buenos Ayres Mill, bearing S.W. S., this is a better anchorage than where we left, as there is generally four and sometimes six feet more water; and it is full two miles nearer the shore.

I cannot say much in favour of the anchorage here, as it is open to all points of the compass and a great distance from the shore; in

fact, the communication with the shore is at all times very uncertain, and we are frequently three days without sending a boat; even when they are sent there is a great uncertainty attending their return for a day or two. While we lay here, (eight weeks) we found the mooringswivel of great use; it was well tried during the heavy gales we rode out. The prevailing winds were E. and N.E.. The tides are very irregular, but at times running as much as 3 have had from nineteen to twenty-five feet water.

miles an hour. We

The following are the Port Charges, entrance at Buenos Ayres.

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N.B.-Vessels which neither load or discharge, pay one-half the charges, besides the health visit, on arriving, and the health certificate on clearing. (Additon since August 1st, 1833.) Vessels of three masts pay ninety dollars, and those of two masts, fifty dollars pilotage, on entering and clearing from the inner roads, although they may not demand a pilot.

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All vessels drawing more than ten feet, must take a pilot on clearing, and in case of refusing so to do, the captain will be obliged to pay

* The dollar here mentioned is paper, value about 74d.

one half of the pilot charges, to which he is liable. He also will pay the same who on entrance, shall have refused to take a pilot, the same having been offered to him, with a list of pilot charges above stated.

The outer and inner roads are, in fact, open roadsteads, neither of them possessing good anchorage. A strong wind from E. or S.E, blowing almost direct on land, is dangerous to those in the inner roads, and they frequently drive.

It is said that the winter season is much better for shipping than the summer, as in the latter the winds are more from the eastward, Good anchors and cables are very necessary in the River Plate; chain cables particularly.

In addition to the difficulty of large vessels getting up the river, an adequate freight cannot be procured for them; but vessels of 150 to 200 tons are the most likely to get employed.

Vessels discharge and take in their cargoes by means of lighters, called Balandras. Should there be the least swell upon the water these lighters cannot lie alongside. Boat-hire is dear: to the outer roads 25 shillings (English.)

The climate, considered generally, is decidedly good. The spring months of September, October, November, and those of autumn, April and May, are the most agreeable parts of the year. December and January are said to be the hottest months in the year. During the former we have had some days of oppressive heat, the thermometer ranging from 69° to 85° in the shade. When the heat is at the greatest, a pampero frequently follows, with its accompaniments of rain, thunder, and lightning. These winds from W. to S.W. blow with great violence; being off the land, they are not very dangerous to shipping; but the thunder and lightning by which they are accompanied is terrific. A north wind in summer is very unpleasant, the heated atmosphere relaxing both mind and body; added to this, ships are swarmed with musquitoes and numerous other insects.

The beach of Buenos Ayres well deserves its nickname of Wapping, being crowded with sailors of all nations, grog-shops, stores, &c. In no part of the world are masters of merchant vessels subject to such annoyance from the desertion of their crews. There are crimps here who conceal them in the town, or send them to the country, and afterwards exact their own price from those who are in want of sailors.

The necessaries of life are abundant, and reasonable in price. The beef is good, but much inferior to English. Vegetables are at all times dear: potatoes imported pay a duty of 50 per cent., and the growth of this invaluable vegetable is not in any way encouraged. I have known them sell at 8d. per lb. In summer, meat will not keep beyond a day. We have been obliged to throw overboard some hundred pounds of beef, slaughtered not more than twelve hours. The poultry is not of the best description. Fish is very inferior; but plenty

may be caught alongside. We had no opportunity of trying the seine.

Fuel is scarce at Buenos Ayres, as it is not a woody country. Coals are imported from England.

The exports consist of ox hides of all descriptions; horse hides, horse hair, wool, tallow, nutkia skins, horns, chinchilla skins, and salted beef, (the latter sent chiefly to the Havana and Brazils,) and a small quantity of silver in bars. Of late years the wool trade has greatly increased. The quantity of European goods annually imported is very great. The cargos brought from Liverpool of manufactured goods of Manchester, Glasgow, &c., are of considerable value, often amounting to 100,000l.

The state of the tides sometimes causes great delay to vessels leaving the inner roads; days, and even a week, being lost at some periods.

Landing at Buenos Ayres is very bad; heavy boats cannot get near. Carts are used to embark and disembark, there seldom being water sufficient for boats to go close in, and they are at all times liable to serious damage from the pieces of rock, wrecks, &c., near the shore. The cartmen charge one dollar each trip.

*

DIRECTIONS for Sailing from the Coast of Chili or Peru, to the South Sea Islands, Sandwich, Society, Marquesas, and Pitcairn, by MR. G. BIDDLECOMBE, Master of H. M. S. Actæon.

Ox leaving the coast, run into the south-east trade wind, or in latitude 20° S. as soon as possible, where you will generally have strong easterly winds and fine weather; you may then stand to the westward in that latitude till you bring Pitcairn Island to bear about S. W., when you should steer for it, taking care not to get to the westward of the island, as the current runs strongly to the westward, owing to the prevailing easterly wind, except about December and January, when a northerly or N.W. gale sometimes sets in.

From Pitcairn Island you will be enabled to shape a course for the Marquesas, taking care then to the eastward as the S.E. or S.S.E. trade blows through the islands.

On leaving the Marquesas, cross the equator if possible to the eastward of 145° W. as you will then be enabled to steer for Owhyhee, or a degree to the eastward of it, should you fall in with the N.E. trade early, although you seldom meet it till you are in latitude 10° N. The variable winds are generally westerly, and the current runs with the wind, but if you get easterly variables you may expect to be set a long way to the westward as the currents run more strongly in that direction than any other. You should, therefore, cross the line well to the eastward, to insure your fetching to windward of *Paper money equal to 74d.

ENLARGED SERIES.-NO. 4.-VOL. FOR 1838.

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