THE WEST COAST OF AFEICA. 503' 



Betwn to Europe. — The voyage from the Senegal to Europe presents no 

 difficulty, and calls for no other precautions than those commonly used in 

 long voyages on seas void of dangers. These precautions are, not to 

 trifle with the wind, but rather to make a good run in a given time, than 

 to endeavour to make good the proposed course. In all return voyages 

 from places within the Tropics, the grand point is to leave the region of 

 the Trade Winds and get into the Variables, and the currents setting to 

 the Eastward, as soon as possible. As the winds generally blow from 

 East to N.W. on the coast of Africa, from the month of December to the 

 end of June, you should keep on the starboard tack until out of their 

 influence. ^ The course made good will be about N.W., and you will then 

 be in the neighbourhood of the Azores. It is immaterial whether you pass 

 to the Northward or through the channels of these islands, but it has been 

 remarked that the winds are strongest to the Westward. It is seldom 

 possible to pass to the Eastward of them ; the distance, no doUbt, would 

 be shortened, but this passage can be effected only by keeping close to the 

 wind thus far ; and experience has proved that, by such procedure, little 

 is to be gained. 



7. EEMAEKS AND DIRECTIONS FOR THE NAVIGATION TO, 

 AND ON THE COAST OF, WESTERN AFRICA. 



WITH SOME ACCOUNT OF THE CURREKTS, SEASONS, ETC. ; BY CAPTAIN 

 THOMAS MIDGLEY, OP LIVERPOOL, 1837.* 



On the Passage from England to the Western Coast of Africa, it may 

 be well to make the island of Madeira and sail to the Westward of it if 

 possible ; for by so doing the ship will be placed in the best position as to 

 her future course. After passing Madeira, steer so as to leave Palma about 

 70 or 80 miles to the Eastward (if nearer, the ship is liable to be be- 

 calmed), and then steer a course to make the N.E. end of Bonavista. 

 Bonavista requires a good berth, as the currents about it are strong and 

 uncertain, and dangers extend from the North and East sides to a great 

 distance from the land. 



In the winter, when strong WeBterly breezes, of long continuance, prevail 

 to the Northward, it may be impossible to make Madeira without much 

 trouble and delay ; in this case endeavour to get a good observation for 

 longitude, or a sight of the Salvages ; and should Westerly winds still 

 continue, run boldly to the Southward. On nearing the Canary Islands, 

 you will find the wind either gradually decrease to a calm, or it will veer 

 to the Northward with heavy squalls. The squalls in this neighbourhood 

 give little warning, but are frequently exceedingly heavy and dangerous. 

 Any ship may very safely run through the passage to the Eastward of 

 Palma, as a strong steady N.N.E. or N.E. breeze almost constantly blows 



* In these remarks, &c., hy the late Captain Midgley, as in other parts of this volaruc 

 liie courses and hearings are hy conpasx, unless where cthcrwibe expressed ; and every 

 t,i aril g or direction of the Wind aud Current is intended [or the true. 



