538 PASSAGES OVER THE ATLANTIC. 



consequently the lead is the only sure guide by night or day. Soundings 

 may be obtained 150 miles East of the lightvessel, in 35 fathoms, much 

 sand, little mud, and small stones ; the nature of the ground changes as 

 you advance to the Westward — less sand, more mud, and no stones, — 

 until in 12 fathoms it is all mud. During the night or early in the evening, 

 it would be advisable to make Berbice lightvessel, which, under ordinary 

 circumstances, cannot be mistaken for the Demerara lightvessel. It is well 

 in sight from the deck when in 13 fathoms, mud, and is about 50 miles 

 from Demerara lightvessel, to which the course is about N.W. by W. by 

 compass, but allowance must be made for tide — flood setting S.W., ebb 

 N.E., — the average strength of the flood being 2 miles, of the ebb 3 miles, 

 — the ebb increasing in the rainy season to 5 miles and the flood de- 

 creasing to 1^ mile per hour. 



" By constantly keeping the lead going, and subtracting one-fourth of a 

 fathom from the soundings, for the lead sinking into the mud, you will not 

 get into danger, but on no account should a vessel be brought into less 

 than 6^ fathoms by night or day ; there is no danger of missing the light- 

 vessel in this depth ; she is anchored in about 19 feet at low water, and 

 springs rise 9 feet. At night time, in coming from the Eastward, the 

 revolving light on the point, visible 16 miles, will first be seen ; if not 

 bearing to the Southward of "West, haul out immediately — the tail of 

 Litchfield or Lusignan Bank, with 8 feet at low water, is between the 

 ship and the light, and your ship is in danger of sticking in the mud ; 

 when the lightvessel is seen bearing West, steer for her, and round-to, 

 to Westward, as close as possible ; a pilot will be sent immediately, day 

 or night. 



" The three great things in coming up this coast are Lead, Lead, Lead. 

 In case of getting ashore on this coast, there is no fear of the vessel going 

 to pieces — the bottom is too soft ; but there is no landing on the coast, for 

 it is too muddy. The boat that leaves the ship to get assistance must find 

 a creek or trench, and go up it at high water; she is sure to find a planta- 

 tion a few miles inland, and can then send to George Town for assistance. 

 Once on shore and requiring steam, the commander may think himself very 

 lucky if he gets off under £1,500. 



" In the rainy season the wind is frequently from the Westward. In 

 beating up do not come into less than 7 fathoms — under that the rollers 

 have too much power over a ship in light winds ; should a vessel get under 

 that depth in a calm, or from the wind harving suddenly failed, with flood 

 tide, anchor immediately with 60 fathoms of chain — getting under weigh 

 again when tide is done. These directions refer to ships of 1,000 tons, 

 and not to coasters. If, coming from the Northward, in 8° N. you have 

 30 or 32 fathoms, the lightvessel bears due South of you ; if more, you are 

 to the Eastward ; if less, to the Westward. 



