536 PASSAGES OVER THE ATLANTIC. 



The best anchorage off the bar is in about 5 fathoms, with the Castle of 

 Bajo Seco South or S. by W. ; about 3 or 4 miles off shore. The 

 soundings on the South side of the bay are regular, decreasing gradually 

 towards the shore. The current runs to the N.E. when the moon rises ; 

 and it is high water, on full and change, at 5^ 15°. 



In beating to windward, endeavour to be near the North-Western shore 

 at about 1 p.m., in order to take advantage of the winds which draw to 

 the N.N.E., so as to make a good lay to the Eastward. 



The communication to the city of Maracaybo is kept up by one of the 

 ship's boats, hiring a pilot for the occasion, who, on making the usual 

 signal, will come out from Bajo Seco in a boat with latine sails, should 

 the weather be moderate. If you have to communicate frequently with 

 the city, or to cruise in the gulf, I should recommend beating up to the 

 anchorage of Estanques, in the Peninsula of Paraguana; but, in beating up, 

 do not go to the Eastward of Punta Gorda, the S.W. point of Paraguana. 



The A7ichorage at Estanques is very good for a vessel of the largest class, 

 even within half a cable's length of the beach. The best marks for 

 assisting a stranger to find the anchorage is the Mountain (or Pan) of 

 Santa Anna, which much resembles Vesuvius, and may be seen, in clear 

 weather, 24 to 27 miles off. This mountain, when bearing E. ^ N., leads 

 to the anchorage. The place may also be known by being a long tongue 

 of sand, with some huts on the extreme point, occupied by fishermen, who 

 in the season take immense quantities of fish by the seine. The Bustard 

 lay in 4^ fathoms, and veered to 25 fathoms on the N.E. anchor (from 

 which quarter the prevailing winds come strongly), and 82 fathoms on the 

 best bower to the S.W. ; Point Estanques bearing S. |- E., and Point 

 Salines, N.W. by N. i N., 2 cables' lengths off shore. No supplies can be 

 obtained here. Rabbits may be shot, but can be purchased cheaply. The 

 little water that may be procured is muddy, and not fit to drink. 



If you are bound to the Eastward, when clear of the gulf stretch to the 

 Northward, as the currents run so strong between the Isle of Oruba and 

 Cape St. Roman, that it is nearly impossible to beat through ; but should 

 you go between the island and main, be cautious in standing by night to 

 the S.E., as the coast from Cape Roman to Aricula, 19 miles to the S.E., 

 is very dangerous, and the currents set thereon. 



In stretching across, from Point Chicabacoa, on the West side of the 

 mouth of the gulf, to Jamaica, we found a strong current, running due 

 West, nearly 1 mile an hour. 



The Channels of Providence. 



The Channels of Providence, between the Great and Little Banks of 

 Bahama, are copiously described in the Sailing Directions accompanying 

 •khe chart, as well as the winds and seasons of this portion of the West 

 Indies. The lighthouses on Gun Kay and the Great Isaacs in Florida 

 Strait, together with those erected on the Florida Reefs by the United 

 "States Government, and the fine line of beacons along the face of the 

 latter will be eminently useful in facilitating the navigation. We have 



