634 PASSAGES OVEE THE ATLANTIC. 



has rendered these very uncertain, and therefore great care should be 

 taken in ascertaining the direction of the stream, always distrusting pub- 

 lished accounts. 



Between latitude 18° 29' N. and Porto Eico, the current generally sets 

 obliquely on the shore towards the E.S.E. Between 18° 29' and 18° 39' N. 

 it runs to theE.N.E. To the Northward of this latitude the stream takes 

 a more Northerly direction, particularly in the vicinity of the banks of the 

 Bahamas. 



To the distance of 10 miles along the North Coast of Hayti, the current 

 frequently runs towards the shore, but beyond that distance it takes the 

 direction of the coast. 



During the Hurricane months it should be remembered, that the cur- 

 rents are more uncertain than at any other period. 



Navigation between Grenada and Jamaica, along the South side 



OF Hayti to Jacmel. 



Leaving the island of Grenada, the current will almost invariably be 

 found setting between W.S.W. and "W.N.W., but more commonly in the 

 former direction than the latter. It is generally strongest between 

 December and April, and of least force in the Hurricane months ; indeed, 

 between July and October (on reference to former journals), I find not 

 unfrequent sets to the East and N.E., particularly when Hurricanes have 

 visited any part of the West Indies ; but except in these months it is very 

 rare to find the stream deviating from the W.S.W., West, or W.N.W. 



The little island Alta Vela lies 6^ miles S.W. ^ W. from the S.W. end 

 of Brnta Island, in lat. 17° 29' 30" N., long. 71° 38' W., and is directly in 

 the fairway of steamers coming from Grenada to Jacmel. It is 500 ft. 

 high, barren, and at three-quarters of a mile North of it is a low black 

 rock. 



The course from Alta Vela to Cape Jacmel is about N.W. ■§■ W., 68 miles; 

 on which line vessels will make the Frayles, which lie about 10 miles 

 Westward of Beata Island. They are a cluster of steep reddish-coloured 

 rocks, and are said to be steep close-to, though I would advise ships to 

 give them a berth of a mile at least ; also, I would not take the channel 

 between Alta Vela and Beata Island, as scarcely anything is to be 

 gained by it. 



The current most commonly sets very strong to the Westward in the 

 vicinity of the islands ; but after passing Frayles BocJcs a strong S.E. set 

 is frequently experienced, particularly during the night, when the Trade 

 does not blow home. 



From Jacmel to Jamaica, shape a course so as to pass 5 miles clear of 

 the Isle of Vache, which is about 8 or 9 miles in length, and makes like a 

 group of small islands when first seen, particularly from the Westward. 

 The current between this island, and along shore to Jacmel, generally seta 

 to the Westward, but when within 5 or 6 miles of the shore, an Easterly 

 set is frequently experienced, particularly at night. 



