With the Loo rock and citadel in one, bearing about N. N. E. E. Funchal steeple N. E. N. by compass, the anchorage appears equally good, in 35 fathoms, stiff ground. With the Loo and Citadel in one, the ground is also good in 45 fathoms, off the former about one mile. Further to the westward the ground is not so good, and to the eastward the bank has a sudden deciivity from 50 or 55 fathoms good ground, to 100 fathoms rock, and then no ground. If southwesters are expected, which are frequent in winter, to anchor with the Loo and Citadel in one, or the latter just open to the westward of the Loo, is the most convenient birth to put to sea from, or to ride out a S. W. gale. But the Citadel well open to the eastward of the Loo, is the best anchorage when southeasters are expected. In coming into Funchal road with a brisk wind, sail should be reduced in time, to prevent having too much way through the water, at the time of anchoring; and a ship should be brought up with her head to seaward, that in case any accident prevent her bringing up, sail can be made off shore, or otherwise as most expedient. It is best to ride with a whole cable, when there is the least appearance of unsettled weather, with a slip buoy on the cable, in case of being obliged to cut near the end or splice, and put to sea quickly; as there would not be time to weigh the anchor, from the sudden approach of blowing weather.

In light breezes and calms, it is proper to have a kedge anchor out to steady the ship, and prevent fouling the bower.

The beach is composed of shingle, and has generally a surf on it, which prevents a ship's boat from landing abreast of the town; but on the northwest side of the Loo rock, about half a mile from the town, is the only place to land from a ship's boat; the country boats are employed in watering. The current along the south side of Madeira and the Desertas, mostly sets to leeward in strong gales; but at the conclusion of a gale it sometimes changes suddenly, and sets contrary to the wind. tides rise and fall about seven feet, at full and change. The rainy season is said to be January, February, and March; October is also frequently a wet month. And when hard westerly gales blow in November, or more particularly in December, they bring with them cloudy weather and rain. There is a perpendicular high cliff of majestic appearance, about three and a half leagues westward from Funchal, called Point de Sol, with a small bay to the eastward of it, said to have anchorage in it near the shore. In westerly gales and stormy weather, Point de Sol, (Point of the Sun) is often painted with beautiful portions of rainbows, which give it a grand appearance.

There have been a few instances of hurricanes blowing down through the valley of Funchal: somewhere about 1803 or 1804, a condensed cloud poured a torrent of water on the mountain

at the head of the valley, which deluged many vineyards in its passage, and washed away some of the houses in Funchal.*

Funchal is in lat. 32° 37' 30" N. lon. 16° 55′ W. by the French astronomers. The celebrated Captain Flinders, and Mr. Crosley the astronomer, made it in long. 16° 56′ W. The observations and chronometers of Captains C. C. M'Intosh, Heywood, and Captain Millikin Craig, three navigators of great ability, make Funchal in long. 16° 50′ W. 16° 51′ W. and 16o 52' W.; the latter is probably nearest the truth, being nearly the mean of the whole. In the road, about of a mile off the Loo Rock, the observed latitude I made 32° 36′ 33′′ N. Variation 21° W. in 1811.

At leaving Funchal, ships should steer directly from the shore, to prevent being baffled by calms or eddy winds under Point de Sol, or the Brazen Head, for vessels are liable to calms under the high land to the westward.

The best route to Madeira, from the United States, is in high latitudes till you make the western islands, and steer over for that island, rather for the east end. Both Porto Santo and Madeira being high it cannot be easily missed; for if you get into the latitude of Madeira while you are to the westward of it, you are liable to have long passages; as in that latitude the wind blows from the eastward eight months in the year, particularly when drawing near the meridian of Madeira. When I was a boy on board of a ship from Philadelphia, by getting into the latitude of Madeira while to the westward of it we had above sixty days passage, whereas if the captain had run first for the Western Islands as above, in all probability we should not have had more than twenty days.f

DIRECTIONS FOR SAILING FROM MADEIRA TO THE SOUTHWARD:

Salvages, Canary and Cape Verd Islands.

Departing from Madeira, or after passing it to the westward, the track most adviseable is to the westward of the Canary and Cape Verd Islands, at any discretional distance, or barely in sight of them. By adopting this route, steadier winds may be expected, than by passing close to, or among these islands. The Britannia, outward bound in November 1803, had W. S. W. and S. W. winds, and was several days close to the coast of

The small pox is much dreaded at Madeira. Were a ship discovered to have this distemper on board, she would be ordered to leave the port

When in Madeira, in 1815, in the ship Recovery, of Philadelphia, I was informed by several intelligent inhabitants of that place, that this supposed "condensed cloud," turned out to be a large gulley, at the head of the valley, containing many hundred tons of water, the borders of which, having been bursted by heavy rains, the water descended in torrents, and occasioned the devastation.

Africa, in latitude 29° N. In January 1795, the Swallow, after passing in sight of the Canary Islands to the westward, had the winds from that quarter, which obliged her to pass to the eastward of the Cape de Verd Islands; it therefore seems preferable, to keep to the westward of all the islands, which is the track now generally adopted.

If a ship be bound to Teneriffe, or intend to pass between the Canaries, or is laid off to the S. S. Eastward after passing Madeira, care is requisite to avoid the Salvages, which must not be approached in the night.

Captain James Mortlock, an excellent observer and astronomer, passed within 1 mile of the southern Salvages, in the Young William, and made a plan of them; these consist of two islets, with several rocks about them, from which the Great Salvage lies 3 or 4 leagues N. Eastward, being a single high rock that may be seen 8 or 9 leagues. No dangers were discernible between the Great Salvage and the Piton Group. He made the Piton or southernmost islet, in lat. 30° 8' N. long. 15° 42′ W.; and the Great Salvage in lat. 30° 14' N. The longitude from these islets, was measured to Ferro by chronometers, in a run of 24 hours, and rests on Ferro, being in 17° 58′ W., as the chronometer measured 2° 16' W. from the Piton or southern Salvage to Ferro.

The Great or north Salvage, by mean of the observations of different navigators, is in lat. 30° 13' N. long. 15° 46′ W., and the Piton or south Islet in lat, 30° 5' N. long. 15° 50′ W.

The CANARY ISLANDS, are eleven in number, (four of them small,) extending from lat. 27° 40' to 29° 20' N. and from long. 13° 35' to 18° 6' W. They are mostly high, with steep rocky shores, rendering the landing often impracticable, and they are all destitute of safe harbours for large ships.

PALMA, the northwesternmost of these islands, is 8 leagues long and 6 leagues broad, and is frequently seen by the outward bound East India ships. It is high, with a bold coast, by which some navigators run towards it with great confidence in the night; but several ships have been nearly lost on this island in dark nights, the lights on the impending mountains first showing their situation. Captain L. Wilson, a scientific observer, places Palma, the north point, in lat. 28° 51' 20" N. lon. 17° 48' 40" W., the west point in lat. 28° 46′ N., lon. 18° 4′ 30′′ W., and the south point in lat. 28° 32′ N. lon. 17° 54' 45" W. This island is said to be more subject to the westerly winds and rains than any of the others. Santa Cruz, the chief place, is near the middle of the east side.

The channels among the Canary Islands are clear of dangers, except a sunken rock laid down in some charts in lat. 27° 52′ N., in the channel between Canary and Teneriffe, about 7 leagues

from the latter, and 5 leagues west from the former. It seems uncertain if this danger really exists, though it may be proper to avoid its assigned position. Many of the outward bound ships pass between Palma and Gomera, when laid off to the eastward by westerly winds, or otherwise.

SANTA CRUZ, in the island of Teneriffe, is in lat. 28° 29′ N. lon. 16° 22′ W. being the port generally used by ships which stop at these islands to procure refreshments. It is on the east side of the island, and the road, though indifferent, is one of the best in the Canaries. Ships going in, should not bring any part of the town to the northward of west, for fear of being becalmed by the high land under the Peak, and drifted on the rocky shore, where no bottom is found close to it, with 200 fathoms line.

Merchant ships and small vessels anchor to the N. Eastward of the pier, off the town, in 18 and 20 fathoms, distant from the shore half a mile. Ships of war anchor off the northernmost fort, about half a mile distant from it, with their outer anchor in 36 fathoms, and the inner one in 15 or 18 fathoms. The Hindostan, in October, 1792, at anchor in 28 fathoms dark mud, had the southernmost steeple west, the northernmost fort north, and the easternmost point E. & N. The bottom being foul in many parts of the road, it is customary to buoy the cables from the ground. Vegetables are plentiful, also the fruits common in Europe, and good water is easily procured when the surf is not great on the beach. This road is exposed to easterly winds, but these seldom blow hard, although it has sometimes happened, that ships have been driven from their anchors, on shore. Santa Cruz is an excellent place for procuring a supply of cheap wines, which are of a weak quality. The Peak of Teneriffe is in lat. 28° 18′ N. by Captain Cook; and in 28° 15' 38" N. by the Requisite Tables. It may be seen about 45 leagues when the atmosphere is clear, being about 12,300 feet elevated above the level of the sea.Variation 19° W. in 1800.

ORATAVA, on the N. W. side of the island, has a very indifferent road, where ships stop sometimes to take in wine: the anchorage is in 50 fathoms about 1 mile off shore, with the Peak bearing S. W. and a pilot should be kept on board. Straggling rocks project two or three ships' lengths from the shore, on which the sea breaks furiously: this road is very dangerous in the winter months, from September to May.

GRAND CANARY, 12 leagues S. E. of Teneriffe, is nearly round, being about 11 or 12 leagues in extent; it is the best watered, and most fertile of the islands. Palmas, the chief town, is on the N. E. side of the island; its road is sheltered from N. Eastward by that point of the land stretching out in a peninsula, and having some rocks adjoining.

GOMERA, distant about 5 leagues to the S. W. from the coast of Teneriffe, is 6 leagues long, and its medium breadth 3 leagues. Palmas, the chief place, is in a bay on the east side, sheltered from the northward by a projecting point.

FERRO, the southwesternmost of the Canary Islands, distant 10 or 11 leagues to the southwest of Gomera, is 6 leagues long and 3 leagues broad. El Golfo, on the east side, is the chief village. These islands are destitute of harbours.

FORTAVENTURA, is about 20 leagues long, and from 2 to 5 leagues broad, the south end of it being about 10 leagues to the east of Grand Canary.

LANZAROTE or Lancerota, about 6 leagues long and 4 leagues broad, lies to the N. E. of Fortaventura, being separated from it by the Bocayno channel, in which is the island Lobos, 2 leagues long and half a league broad, dividing the channel into two passages. That between Lobos and Fortaventura, is 2 miles wide with 5 fathoms water, and good anchorage. The channel next Lanzarote, is 4 miles wide, with 10 fathoms water. Off the north end of Lobos there is a large reef.

On the S. E. side of Lanzarote, are two ports within reefs, called Puerto de Naos and Puerta Cavallos: the former is the northern one, sheltered from the N. E. by the reefs, and here vessels may refit. It has two entrances between the reefs, with only 14 feet at high water in the northern, and 17 feet in the southern entrance; the depth within, is 27 to 10 feet, rise of tide 10 feet.

PUERTO CAVALLOS, 1 mile south of the former, has only 12 feet in the channel, and within, 17 feet.

GRATIOSA, is 1 league north of Lanzarote, being 5 miles long and 1 mile broad, and the channel between them, forms the harbour of El Rio, in which the depth is 6 and 7 fathoms.

SANTA CLARA, 6 miles N. W. of Gratiosa, and Alegranza, are small rocky isles destitute of fresh water.

The channel between Cape Juby on the African coast and these islands, is about 20 leagues wide, and clear of danger.

CAPE VERD ISLANDS, consisting of ten principal and some small isles, extend from lat. 14° 43' to 17° 13' N. and from lon. 22° 28′ to 25° 27′ W.; they are mostly high land, and some of them afford bays, with anchorage tolerably sheltered.

Outward bound ships for India or St. Helena, do not frequent the channel between Cape Verd and the islands, so often as formerly. Those which do, generally keep in longitude between 19° and 20° W. in passing the islands, to avoid some dangers supposed to lie to the eastward of them, not well ascertained: others keep nearer to the continent, the channel being clear on that side. Were it not for the great haze contiguous to the coast, Occasioned by the dust and dry vapour, driven to seaward by