MA.DRAS KOADS. 363 



•df tlieir port, as circumstances require. In both monsoons 

 alono- the whole of the Coromandel const there is a heavy 

 surf^roliing in upon the shore, which prevents all commu- 

 nication, except in boats, called masoolah-boats, of a pecu- 

 liar construction. They are of a clumsy hog-trough shape, 

 without timbers, and the planks are sewed together ; they 

 are rowed with ten or twelve paddle-shaped oars, and are very 

 buoyant and vielding. When the surf strikes them on the 

 side' the planks bend inwards. The fishermen on this coast 

 use a catamaran, which is simply three logs tied together, 

 the middle one being longer than the others, and pomted 

 a little upwards. This ^simple contrivance is generally 

 about ten feet in length, and eighteen inches in breadth. 

 With a man on it the upper edge is generally under water. 

 Pondicherrv, formerly a French settlement, is in lat. 11° 

 5G' north, long. 79° 54' east. It is easily distinguished 

 from seaward, has an agreeable aspect, and may be known 

 by a remarkable black patch on a long flat hill north-west 

 of the town, with a grove or tuft of trees on it. A ship 

 may anchor in six or seven fathoms ofl' the town, m the 

 fair season. Bound from England to Madras, a ship, having 

 sighted any part of Cevlon, may shape a direct course for 

 Madras Flag-statT, which is in lat. 13° 4' north, long. 80° 

 21' 30" east. In the night the lighthouse may be seen 

 tive leagues from the deck, and is highly useful in guiding 

 ships clear of Pulicate Shoal, the south point of which bears 

 from the Ughthouse north-by-east three-quarters east, thir- 

 teen miles. If the light is kept to the westward of south- 

 south-west one-quarter west, the shoal will be avoided. 

 Madras Roads are open to all winds except from the west. 

 The anchorage is foul from the many anchors left there. 

 It is liable to be visited by sudden severe storms, and even 

 in fine weather there is a heavy swell tumbling in from sea- 

 ward. From the beginning of October to the 10th or 15th 

 of December is considered the most dangerous season to 

 remain in Madras Roads, or in any roadstead on this coast. 

 It must, however, be observed, that ships remain in Madras 

 Roads at all seasons, being ready to cut or slip, and run 

 out to sea on the first intimation of a hurricane. During 

 the bad weather season ships should lie in Madras Roads 

 with good sails bent, and close-reef their topsails and courses 

 be[oie they are furled. With the flag-staff about north- 



