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Remarks on Delagoa Bay, a large Harbour situated on 

 the South-east Coast of Africa, and on the Country 

 and Nations adjoining it. By a NaVAL OFFICER.* 



How this bay obtained the name of Delagoa is unknown, but 

 certain it is that such is only in use amongst the English and 

 Americans, and that by other nations it is called after its 

 discoverer Lorenzo Marques, which, however, is confined 

 by the Portuguese to their factory only, whilst the anchorage 

 in the bay they denominate the Quatros Rios. There can, 

 however, be no doubt but that the name of Delagoa will be 

 that by which in future times it will be generally known. The 

 bay extends from 25° 20' S. to the river Mapoota in 26°, and 

 from the Cape of Inyack in latitude 25° 58' S. and longitude 

 32° 55' E. to the entrance of English River in the same latitude, 

 and in longitude 32° 32' E. Into the bay three large rivers 

 empty themselves, viz : the Mapoota into the South-west 

 corner, and English and King George's Rivers into its east- 

 ern side. A fourth, by the name of Lagoa, is marked in charts 

 as towards the northern extremity ; and although from sea- 

 ward at five or six miles distance there appears to be a large 

 opening, yet. on examining it within two miles we could find 

 none, but only discovered there, as we have seen in other 

 parts of the coast at these seasons, a considerable quantity of 

 water within the beach. From this circumstance it is not im- 

 probable that the names of Lagoa and Delagoa were derived. 



From Lagoa to Inyack there extends a bank or bar of shal- 

 low sounding, with from seven to two fathoms at high water. 

 The shallowest parts, or rather those which abound most 

 in shallow knolls, are about six miles from the large Inyack. 

 At a like distance farther to the northward the bar may be 

 crossed with not less than four-and a-half fathoms at any part 

 or at any time, but from fourteen to seventeen miles from the 

 Cape, there is a patch of shallow knolls with as little as two 

 fathoms at low water springs. This patch extends near to the 

 shore, and leavtsonly a clear channel inside of it of about 

 half a mite or a little more in breadth, with not less than nine 

 fathoms of water. Such soundings, it appears, may be carried 

 in all the way, provided the bind be made any where between 

 25° 38' and 25 Q 25', coasting southwards close along shore. 

 To the westward of Lagoa, however, the land runs oft' shallow 

 and in knolls to a distance of four or five miles from the beach, 

 which appears to be the norlh end of the bar. From the sea, 

 soundings decreased very gradually with fine sand, until on the 

 bar in ten and nine fathoms. It continues for some breadth 



* Communicated by Mr. Jardine. 



