and likewise stronger than it does at others. Its distance from the coast also varies outside these limits; the current has been found to run, at least, a knot, in the same direction as the wind blows.

From the above remarks, it clearly shows, that it is not easy to give any satisfactory account of the tides, so as to reduce them to any thing like a regular theory. One circumstance, however, may be worthy of notice; frag ments of the wrecks of the Cora and Clothier were all invariably drifted to the westward. Cape Shirreff and the north beaches were scattered all over with them, and not one single particle was ever found to the eastward. The Cora's were easily identified, being either cedar or mahogany On the south side of the land, it is pretty generally admitted, that the motion of the water is, on the contrary, toward the eastward, and carrying with it vast quantities of ice, in the direction of the coast, toward Sandwich Land.

WINDS. "Nearly all the misfortunes that have happened in South Shetland have been in gales of wind from the eastward, which frequently prevail here, and blow with tremendous fury, generally accompanied with heavy falls of snow. No less than seven vessels have been lost, and all with easterly gales, excepting the Clothier, an American; which struck on a sunken rock. In the years 1820, 21, and 22, four-fifths of the gales were from the eastward,-though we had all looked for harbours sheltered from the westward, under the impression that we should have most to fear from that quarter.

In fine weather, the winds from the S.W. and N.E. are about equal, not keeping long in either quarter. Indeed, with very few exceptions, the winds. are always along the land, which renders this coast far less dangerous, when under sail, than it would otherwise be. The south-westers here, much like the north-westers at home, are attended with a fine clear sky, and generally sweep away all the fog and sleet of the light north-westers. In two seasons,

I recollect only one gale from the N.W., which was very heavy. I was then in Blythe Bay, and it was perfectly smooth, though the sea outside was, in a manner, overwhelming.

It would appear, if a parallel may be drawn from these two seasons, that gales of wind on the land are very unfrequent. I have noticed that the wind on the land is generally Ight, with thick dirty weather; however, the gales of wind, after the middle of February, begin to increase in strength, and it is then not worth any one's while to stop longer on the coast. Were I bound round Cape Horn, and to meet with adverse winds, I would not keep hugging the wind, and going about with every slant, but check the topsail yards in, and keep my reach to the southward, when I should be sure to be not long without an easterly wind, with which I could soon get sufficient westing (the degrees of longitude being so short, and such an offing from the western part of Terra del Fuego, as to make for me a S.W. wind a fair one. The danger of falling in with ice is almost chimerical, there being no low drift ice on the north side of Shetland; and in two seasons, I only saw three ice islands."Captain Robert Fildes, of Liverpool.

ON APPROACHING SOUTH SHETLAND FROM THE NORTHWARD, Livingston's, or the main island, will appear in mountains of vast height, and covered entirely with snow, the base of them terminating in perpendicular ice-cliffs. On this side of the group, in latitude 62° 20′ S., and longitude 59° 45′ W., is a small isle, named Table Island, which is by far the most remarkable hereabout, and will always be an infallible mark for any one approaching, as it is not possible to mistake it for any other land. All strangers, therefore, should make this their landfall, particularly in the early part of the season, for then the land is not so easily made out, it having a great quantity of snow

upon it, which may at times deceive those best acquainted. Its top appears as level as a bowling-green, and its sides resemble a wall. In the upper part of the N.E. end of it is a chink or division, which from some situations may be seen.

SECTION VII.

TRACKS ACROSS THE ATLANTIC,

AND

DIRECTIONS FOR VARIOUS HARBOURS ON THE NORTH AMERICAN COAST.

ENGLAND TO BRAZIL. .

Vessels leaving the English Channel are recommended to shape their course so as to pass well to the westward of Cape Finisterre (latitude 42° 54', longitude 9° 15') at from 30 to 50 leagues. Passing the coast of Portugal steer for the Madeira Islands, and endeavour to make Porto Santo, which lies in latitude 33° 3′, and longitude 16° 18', as by getting sight of this island you will proceed on your voyage with greater certainty. In the Bay of Biscay, and to the westward of Ushant, the current sets to the westward, at times, in winter, but in summer it generally sets N.E. and Easterly. It is often found to set eastward from March to November, particularly when westerly winds prevail; and off Cape Finisterre, and near the south part of the bay, it sets mostly along the coast to the eastward; and, along the east side of the bay, it sets to the northward, parallel to the west coast of France. Caution is therefore requisite, with a westerly wind, in standing to the southward to weather Cape Finisterre; for, should a ship's position not be ascertained by chronometers or lunar observations, it would be imprudent, in gloomy blowing weather, to stand to the southward in the night, if not certain of being well to the westward of the cape.

Sometimes gales of wind from W.N.W. blow into the Bay of Biscay, continuing for several days; and some of the outward-bound East India ships have been driven far into the bay during these gales, in April and May. If a ship has the misfortune to lose any of her masts, during one of these gales, the heavy sea rolling in from N.W. and W.N.W., with an easterly current, would unavoidably force her to leeward, and, should the gale continue long and severe, she might be in danger of drifting on a lee-shore.

During the winter months, those who are not desirous of stopping in Funchal Road should pass to the westward of Madeira, at any convenient distance, not less than 6 or 7 leagues, as strong westerly gales prevail in November, December, and January, which produce severe squalls, and eddy winds, near the the island on the east side.

Having sailed to the westward of Madeira, it is advisable to pass to the westward of the Canary and Cape Verde Islands, keeping at any discretional

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distance, or barely in sight of them. By this course you will not only avoid the light winds and calms which frequently prevail among these islands, as well as the several dangers reported to be in the vicinity, but may reasonably expect a steadier breeze; although there are instances of ships after passing in sight of the Canaries, to the westward, having the wind from that quarter, which obliged them to pass to the eastward of the Cape Verde Islands.

Leaving the Canary and Cape Verde Islands steer on southerly, and endeavour to cross the Equator, between the meridians of 18 and 23° W., but by no means farther to the westward, lest the westerly current, which sweeps round Cape St. Roque, lead you into danger.

In approaching the coast of Brazil, considerable attention should bə paid to the season of the year; periodical winds prevailing from S.S.E and S.E., from March to September, the current then running northerly; but between September and March the wind blows from the N.E. to E.N.E., and it then sets to the southward. It is, in consequence, advisable to make the land to windward of the port bound for, and according to these periodical winds, which commonly govern the current when the sun is in the northern hemisphere; the winds on this coast will incline more from the south-eastward, than in the opposite season (when the sun is to the southward of the Equator) for then they prevail to the eastward.

It also appears that in any season of the year, if the coast be not made to the northward of Cape St. Augustine, there will be no difficulty in getting on to the southward; for ships which made the land in latitude 7° or 8°, even in the unfavourable season, by making a few tacks, always readily proceeded to the southward, and experienced little or no northerly current: nevertheless, in a bad sailing ship, it would be highly imprudent to make it to the northward of Cape St. Augustine, especially between the months of March and October; and certainly it should never be made to the northward of Cape Ledo, or near Cape St. Roque, on account of the S.E. winds and W.N.W. currents, before-mentioned, which might fatally sweep you round to the northward of the cape.

Every navigator should, therefore, be attentive to the time of year he makes the coast of Brazil, there being a kind of monsoon, or trade-wind. blowing from the N.E. and E.N.E., with a current setting south, from the month of September to March; while from March to August, the winds are from the S.E., E.S.E., and S.S.E., the current then setting north; according, therefore, to the seasons, he should run into a higher or lower latitude than the port he is bound to.

From Cape St. Roque to Cape St. Augustine the land may be approached by soundings of moderate depth, and gradually lessening as you approach the shore.

A strong southerly current commences from Cape St Augustine, about the middle of October and continues until January; no particular current succeeds till the month of April, when, generally, about the middle of that month, a strong one sets in northerly until July, when it again subsides until October; near the shore the wind, for nine months in the year, generally blows north-easterly in the morning, and north-westerly during the night, continuing gradually to change along the coast, until, at Rio Janeiro and the River Plate, it becomes a regular land-breeze from evening to morning, and throughout the day the reverse. From the end of February till the month of May the wind is mostly from the south, blowing strong and stormy, with frequent squalls from the S.W.

COAST OF BRAZIL TO THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

The directions given for this route by Captain Horsburgh, are as follows:During most months of the year the south-east trade fails about the southern tropic, or 2° or 3° beyond it, when the wind is found to veer from eastward to north-east, and northward; the northerly winds prevail more than any other in the vicinity of the south-east trade, and as far as latitude 34° or 35° S., from the coast of Brazil to the meridian of London, or a little farther eastward. When therefore a ship departs from the Brazil coast, or has got to the southward of the south-east trade, she will most probably, in almost every month of the year, meet with brisk winds veering from N.E. to N.W., and sometimes to W. and W.S.W., which will carry her quickly to the eastward. These variable winds keep mostly between north-east and north, and are attended with smooth water and fine weather. When cloudy weather accompanies these northerly or north-east winds there is a risk of a sudden shift to the south-west or south.

A ship, by running to the eastward. in the track of these winds, gradually increasing the latitude as she proceeds, will often make greater progress than by going to 38° or 39° S. in search of westerly winds. Although here the westerly winds prevail during most months of the year, they are often very unsettled, completing a revolution round the horizon, coincident with the course of the sun every two, three, or four days, with intervening calms, particularly when the wind is from the south-west quarter. It seems, therefore, inexpedient to increase the latitude more than 35° S., till a ship has reached the meridian of London; she may then gradually proceed into 36° or 37° S., as she approaches the Cape, for the southerly winds which prevail around the cape-land from January to April (and at times in other months) extend far to the westward.

In February and March these southerly winds are frequently experienced between the Cape and the meridian of London, on which account it is prudent for a ship bound to it in this season, to increase her latitude to 35° or 35° 30' S., when she draws into east longitude. She ought then to keep in about 35° 30' S., if possible, till the Cape is nearly approached, to prevent being driven to northward of Table Bay by the southerly winds.

From December to April, if it is not intended to touch at the Cape, a ship should get into latitude 37° or 38° S., about the meridian of London, and keep in 37° and 39° S. in running down her easting; for the winds will be found as variable for this purpose in 38° or 39° S., or probably more so, than if she were in a higher latitude. In passing the bank of Cape Agulhas, the stream of current setting westward ought to be avoided by keeping at least in latitude 37° S.; and she should not go to the northward of this parallel in running down her easting, after passing the Cape, or she may be greatly retarded by the south-easterly winds which prevail in these months, to the northward of latitude 35° or 36° S.

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE TO ST. HELENA, AND THENCE

HOMEWARDS.

Having rounded the Cape of Good Hope, a direct course for St. Helena is about N.N.W. to N.N.W. W., 566 leagues; it is however advisable to steer about N.W. by N. until a considerable distance is gained from the western

coast of Africa, because you are liable to encounter N.W. and W.N.W. squalls at times, particularly when near the coast; it is true they do not often happen, but they have sometimes been experienced in both seasons. A direct course about N.N.W. W. or N.N.W. will then be fair for St. Helena.

If the wind be strong, veering to the E.S.E., allowance for a leeward current should be made, particularly if the weather should happen to be cloudy and the longitude uncertain. In such case it will be prudent to make the latitude of the island several leagues to the eastward of it; and haul round the N.E. or Sugar-loaf point for the anchorage, as described in the particular directions for St. Helena.

Leaving St. Helena, a direct course N.W. by N. may be steered for Ascension Island, and in this part of the passage a steady S.E. trade generally prevails all the year, with westerly current at times Ascension may be passed on either side at any convenient distance, but it is usual to pass to the westward of it, at from 3 or 4 to 10 or 12 leagues distance. Proceeding from Ascension towards the Equator, steer N.N.W. or N. by W. W., and endeavour to cross it between the meridian of 18° and 25° W., taking care you do not get to the eastward of the former, nor westward of the latter. Should the sun be in the northern hemisphere, cross it, if possible, between 21° and 23°, as variable light winds extend a great way out from the coast of Africa in July, August, and September, whilst the sun is returning from the tropic of Cancer to the Equator.

To sail from the Equator to the northward, a N. or N. by W. course may be steered, if the southerly winds become light, in order to reach the N.E. trade as soon as possible; but if variable light breezes are found to continue far to the northward of the Equator, a berth of 40 or 50 leagues at least ought to be given to the Cape de Verde Islands. In crossing the N.E. trade a ship's sails should be kept well filled to enable her to gain speedily to the northward. In this route the Sargasso Sea, is usually first seen about the parallel of 24° or 25° N., extending sometimes as far to the northward as 40° or 41° N. When ships get to the northward of the northern limit of the trade-wind in latitude 30° or 32° N. their longitude will be generally from 39° to 42° W.

Should the wind veer to the N.W. on approaching the Azores, you may pass through one of the channels of these islands, and thence pursue a course for the English Channel according to circumstances. It is seldom advisable to pass to the eastward of the Azores, because northerly winds, which often prevail between them and the Portuguese coast, are unfavourable for pursuing a direct course towards the Channel; it is, therefore, recommended to pass round to the westward, though it has sometimes happened that vessels sailing to the eastward of the Azores have met with S.W. and W. winds, and reached the channel sooner than others, which went round to the westward of those islands.

TO SAIL UP THE ENGLISH CHANNEL.

In all previous instructions for entering the British Channel, it has been directed for ships to get into the parallel of 49° 25' to 49° 30′; but this, as Captain Horsburgh very justly remarks, seems intended for ships navigating by dead reckoning, and even in that respect are improper; because ships endeavouring to get into that parallel from the southward, would be under the necessity of making a more circuitous route, than would be requisite, in