6o Voyage of the Novara. 



ships that often in southerly winds they are obliged to get 

 under sail. This is especially the case in the winter, when 

 the sea often rushes into the small unprotected bay with fearful 

 violence. In October, 1842, five vessels were cast on shore 

 within the space of a few hours, and another sank whilst at 

 anchor ; a similar violent gale from the south raged in De- 

 cember, 1848, when a like number of ships met with the 

 same fate, and were dashed to pieces. The British sloop of 

 war Daphne only escaped by making the open sea in time. 

 In order to run less risk of being surprised by such gales, 

 sailing vessels generally cast anchor to the south of the Loo 

 Rock, where there is tolerably safe anchorage at a depth of 

 twenty-five to thirty fathoms. In that position they are clear 

 of the rocky headlands, and can therefore more easily set 

 sail before the sea rushes in with all its irresistible violence. 

 Steamers, which are better able to resist the force of the 

 waves than sailing vessels, generally cast anchor nearer the 

 shore, so that passengers may be more easily landed, and 

 coals shipped with greater facility. 



The Portuguese Government has done nothing to com- 

 pensate for the shortcomings of nature with regard to safe 

 landing-places in this island, otherwise so highly favoured. 

 Though the rocky condition of the Funchal roads, (the only 

 anchorage for larger ships which the island possesses.) offers 

 sufficient means for the construction of a harbour for boats 

 and small vessels, yet the Government has hitherto done 

 so little, that the landing of passengers can only be effected 



