S68 NAVIGATION. 



severely felt in proportion as the distance is increased to 

 the eastward of the islands. Ships from the Malabar coast 

 should endeavour to take a departure from about Dondre 

 Head, and cross the line in 85'^ east, which will enable them 

 to give Roderigue a wide berth. From April to November, 

 storms seldom happen near Mauritius ; and in these months, 

 thirty or forty leagues is a sufficient distance at which to 

 pass ; at other times, the islands ought not to be approached 

 nearer than eighty or ninety leagues. In one of these hur- 

 ricanes it is supposed the gallant Trowbridge was lost with 

 all his crew, in his majesty's ship Blenheim. In general, 

 ships run rapidly through the south-east trade, towards 

 the Cape of Good Hope. The south end of Madagascar 

 should be passed at a distance of thirty or forty leagues, 

 and a course shaped to fall in with the coast of Africa about 

 Point Natal. 



In a preceding part of this article, instructions are given 

 for making a passage round the Cape by help of the current. 

 In the winter months ships cannot be too well prepared for 

 bad weather on approaching the Cape, and crazy ships 

 should keep well in with the land, where they will have 

 smooth water and less wind than is experienced far on the 

 bank. It is not thought dangerous to hug the land, as the 

 wind seldom blows strong from the south. If a ship is beat- 

 ing round the Cape with a westerly wind, she should en- 

 deavour to have a good offing when about the meridian of 

 Cape LaguUas, particularly towards the conclusion of a 

 north-west gale, by which she will be enabled to bear up for 

 St. Helena much sooner than if she happened to be in with 

 the land when the wind veered to the southward and west- 

 ward, which it commonly does towards the end of a gale. 

 Ships from Bombay bound to England in November or De- 

 cember, may proceed by the Mozambique Channel ; but 

 southerly winds are often experienced there in February. 

 The current setting to the south along the African shore will 

 always help a ship through this channel, and she may pass 

 in sight of Cape Corrientes, where it is very strong. Except 

 in November and December, ships from Bombay should go 

 by the outer passage round Roderigue. 



From the Cape to St. Helena ships commonly experience 

 fair winds and pleasant weather. A south-easter off Table 

 Bay will frequently carry a ship into the south-east trade. 



