530 PASSAGES OVER THE ATLANTIC. 



strong in the Northern channels, whereas they have, at the same time, 

 been observed to be very weak in those Southward. 



The second route depends, I imagine, more on vague reports of a current 

 setting between those parallels to the Eastward ; but this will, I trust, no 

 longer be credited, at least, in the tract of sea here described. During the 

 intervals, however, in which light winds are of some duration, the 

 Westerly current may be found very weak, as is undoubtedly proved by 

 our passage in April, 1837. Yet this is no reason why a constant weak 

 current, or an Easterly one, should be stated to exist, when found only 

 occasionally in those parts where they have once been met with. 



Th6 third route, by which the Hurricanes are generally avoided, has 

 been treated with too much neglect, partly by its being impeded by the 

 Leeward Islands, and partly by the unknown force and direction of cur- 

 rents, and want of local experience of the coast ; but hereafter I doubt not 

 but this track will be adopted as the best in those months which threaten 

 destruction in the Northern passages, because it is almost universally 

 followed by the coasters and pilots. 



Commanders bound from one of the interior ports of the Caribbean Sea, 

 toward the coast of Guayana, generally prefer passing out by the channel 

 of Antigua and Guadaloupe, which is one of the fittest for that purpose 

 with Northerly winds ; but when, on the contrary, the wind is from the 

 Southward of East, I should not advise any attempt to pass that way, but 

 to proceed directly to the North, by the Westward of Barbuda, prolonging 

 the stretch well, in order to gain, with the other tack, the windward side 

 of the islands. In July, 1836, we laboured for several days to get out of 

 the first-mentioned passage ; and in August, 1835, we were happy enough 

 to reach EngHsh Harbour, though unable to effect our purpose of getting 

 into the main sea, being harassed by South-Easterly winds and strong 

 Westerly currents. 



After having reached the Atlantic, when hound toward the coast of 

 Guayana, it is best to keep your wind, if blowing from the Northward of 

 East ; as, in that case, it may enable you in one stretch to make the 

 desired port ; but, with unfavourable winds, I think it advisable to run 

 straight for the coast, and beat to windward along the bank of soundings. 

 This is most probably attended with less loss of time than the working to 

 the Eastward in higher latitude, which may be proved beyond any doubt 

 by comparing some of the many instances which have occurred of vessels 

 falling to leeward of their port of destination, and trying to regain it by 

 making a long stretch to the Northward ; when, after fourteen days, they 

 made the coast nearly at the same place ; with these of others who 

 effected it completely in only three or four days, in the space mentioned. 

 I know many reports of this sort, but they want sufficient authenticity to 

 be relied on. 



As a general remark, it may be kept in mind that to get soundings 

 ought to be the principal object of ships bound to this coast, as, with the 

 present knowledge of depths hereabout, together with an observed 

 latitude, it may show them their place of situation East or West of the 

 intended place very near the truth, because the general tendency of the 

 mud-bank is nearly N.W. and S.E. ; and thus, to the Eastward of a cer- 



