ST. THOMAS TO JAMAICA. 533 



Cape Hay tien is a high cape, sloping down towards the East, and having 

 a small rock, called Picolet, at its foot, presenting the appearance of a 

 white patch when first seen from the Eastward. The water is deep 

 tolerably close to this rock, and it may be approached to the Northward 

 without fear. I should, however, recommend all vessels to go in at slow 

 speed, with strict attention to the lead. 



From Cape Haytien the course should be shaped to pass between the 

 Tortugas and Hayti, in which channel there is always much less sea than 

 outside, besides being a more direct course. 



St. Jago de Cuba. — This harbour cannot be taken at night, and never 

 even during the day without a pilot, as it is exceedingly narrow, and the 

 greatest attention is required at the helm, owing to the sudden turnings in 

 the channel. 



From St. Jago de Cuba to Morant Point, I would recommend a course 

 to be shaped (daring night time) 15 miles to the West of the Formigas, as 



1 have on more than one occasion experienced a set in their vicinity of half 

 a mile an hour to the N.B. This is by no means a usual occurrence, but 

 knowing the existence of deviations from the general set of the stream, it 

 is as well to be on the guarded side, more especially as the saving in the 

 distance is very trifling. 



Morant Point is very low, with a lighthouse upon its extremity ; from 

 hence to the Keys of Fort Boyal it is only necessary to run down about 



2 miles off shore, taking great care at night to avoid the low land about 

 Cowbay Point, which is very deceiving. 



On returning by this route, the foregoing observations will be equally 

 available. It is, however, perhaps as well to observe, that after leaving 

 St. Jago de Cuba great advantage may be gained by keeping about 2 miles 

 off shore, where there is frequently a weatherly set, and invariably less 

 current. 



In making Porto Bico from the Westward the land is low, gradually 

 rising to a high chain of hills ; thence, trending East, it again falls, and 

 then rises to another chain of mountains called Luquillos, which terminate 

 in low land at the Eastern extremity of the island. St. Juan may be 

 known by its situation between the above two ranges of mountains, and 

 by having on its West side a number of remarkable hillocks in the form of 

 haycocks, which are frequently seen before the Moro shows itself ; but the 

 fortifications are most commonly the first objects descried. 



I would also caution vessels to be extremely guarded at night, in not 

 mistaking the channel between Culebra and Porto Eico, which is exceed- 

 ingly dangerous. The distance run by the ship after leaving St. Juan will 

 of course be a good guide, but between August and October the currents 

 are often so variable, that the most careful navigator may be deceived in 

 hazy weather, or at night, as there is under these circumstances a great 

 resemblance between Culebra and St. Thomas. The latter, however, if 

 seen before sunset, may be distinguished by its being higher, and making 

 in three small peaks. 



From the mean of several observations, I have found the current along 

 the Porto Rico coast and Hayti to the Northward to be as follows, 

 though the very unusual state of the weather in the West Indies of late 



