THE BAY. 5 



on the bar, large ships are able to cross it easily 

 and anchor within two hundred yards of the 

 town. The Seine, a vessel of 4000 tons, was 

 able to anchor three hundred yards from the 

 shore. 



I need not say how anxiously all the mer- 

 chants here are looking forward to the proposed 

 line of railway to the Transvaal, when the good 

 qualities of the Bay will be more generally 

 known and appreciated. 



Occasionally, however, a very strong south 

 (or S.S.E.) wind blows, and completely changes 

 the calm aspect of the Bay the water becom- 

 ing the colour of lead, with breakers visible 

 everywhere, rendering rowing extremely diffi- 

 cult. Fishing- boats not infrequently capsize 

 in these wind-storms ; even fully laden lighters 

 have been sunk, and the work of digcharonno- 



' O O 



cargo is often much hindered. The sand too is 

 blown about to such a degree that the town is 

 only visible through a reddish mist. 



There are five rivers flowing; into the Bav, 



O J 7 



the Uncomati, Manissa, or St. George's River, 



