TO DEMEEAEA, ETC., FEOM THE NOETH-EAST. 537 



teen assured, by an intelligent navigator, that it was not unusual for 

 twenty sail of vessels, from 100 to 400 tons burthen, to pass Great Stirrup 

 Kay within musket-shot, and even within hail, in one day ; these, for the 

 most part, proceeding from the United States to Cuba and the Mexican 

 Sea. They made the Hole in the Wall, now distinguished by its light- 

 house, then the Stirrup ; thence, if the weather appeared threatening, 

 they passed through the N.W. Channel ; otherwise they shaped a course, 

 picking their way, across the Great Bahama Bank, to the Southward of 

 the Cat Kays, beyond Gun Kay lighthouse. Here they entered Florida 

 Strait, and pursued a Southerly course, where the Gulf Stream is found, 

 as described, to run with the least velocity to the Northward. — (See 

 farther, " Sailing Directions accompanying the Chart of the Windward 

 and Gulf Passages," pubhshed by Mr. Laurie). 



DmECTIONS FOR PROCEEDING TO DeMERARA, ETC., FROM THE N.E. 



The following remarks, made by Captain George Cheveley, will be 

 found useful : — 



" If, when in lat. 10° N., the water changes to a dark or black colour, or 

 dirty drab, and then in 8° turns again to the usual sea blue, you may rely 

 on being to windward. There are no soundings, only this remarkable 

 change. You will then, in running farther in, on the coast, observe a 

 perfect division, or line of change, on the water, nearly N.W., from blue 

 to green, where the current sets strong in that direction. On proceeding, 

 you will again change to thick muddy water, influenced by the Tides, which 

 should be carefully calculated and allowed for. Many ships have run to 

 leeward from want of this, and a due allowance in the course when the 

 tide is running, which is always with the flood. As you approach inshoie 

 4, 5, and 6 fathoms, should the water then be of a red colour; you may 

 make sure of being to windward, and need not fear running, even should 

 you obtain no pilot. This is most perceptible from Miconie down to 

 Corobana Point : to leeward all is dirty, thick mud. 



" With the lighthouse on the weather point of Demerara Eiver bearing 

 from South to S. ^ W., flood making, you cannot do wrong by steering 

 in on that course, should you not obtain a pilot, and come-to ofl' the fort, 

 keeping outside the poles on the. West side. I mean this is a safe plan 

 for a stranger." 



The following is by Captain Henry FaithfuU, June, 1865 : — 

 " In making the land to the Eastward of Demerara Eiver, the coast is 

 very low, and scarcely above the high- water level — the sea at that time 

 rising into the jungle, when the tops of the trees alone are visible at the 

 distance of 10 miles off the shore ; the sameness of the whole coast is 

 such that it is impossible to say where you are by the look of the trees, 



• This discoloured water appears to bo iu the stream of the Equatorial Current ; as may 

 UkowisQ be that which is met with at 250 or 300 miles to the East of Barbadoes. — Ed. 



N. A. 0. 69 



