fi44 PASSAGES OVER THE ATLANTIC. 



from the Green Bank to the Westward, have imagined themselves 

 entering the Gulf of St. Lawrence ; and, by steering a course too far to 

 the Northward, have been lost on the rocks lying to the Eastward of 

 Cape Ray. 



The little island of St. Paul, which lies to the North-Eastward of Cape 

 North, now distinguished by its lighthouses, is bold-to, steep, and high, 

 and, with a good look-out in the daytime, cannot be considered as 

 dangerous even in thick weather. The land of Cape Breton Island is very 

 high, and, though fogs are about it frequently, it is seldom so much 

 obscured as not to be seen in time. On entering the Gulf, the Magdalen 

 and Bird Islands with their lighthouses, will be seen, as they lie in the 

 direct course from Cape North to the River St. Lawrence. 



There is, in clear weather, a safe passage between the Bird Islands and 

 the Magdalens ; but, in thick weather, it is advisable to keep either to the 

 Southward or Northward of both, as the wind may permit. 



In Pleasant Bay, on the S.E. side of Magdalen Islands, there is clear 

 and good anchorage, very near the shore ; and it is a very safe place for 

 vessels to ride in, with a Westerly wind, and infinitely preferable to 

 beating about in the gulf with a foul wind. There is a safe passage into 

 it between Amherst Island and Entry Island. 



As the weather to the Southward of these islands, between them and 

 Prince Edward Island, is generally much clearer than to the North, the 

 passage that way is preferable, particularly after the early part of the 

 year, when S.W. winds mostly prevail. 



Vessels bound to or from the Biver St. Lawrence now use the Strait of 

 Belle Isle, as a channel which gives the shorter and better route to Europe 

 in the summer months. It should be remembered that the Ice described 

 in pages 450 — 454, which floats down the Labrador Coast to the Great 

 Banks, must be carefully avoided during the season of its frequency in 

 February or March to July. Again, the shorter days in the higher 

 latitudes, and the prevailing Fogs which infest the Newfoundland coast, 

 have to be taken into account during the winter and late autumn months. 

 The lights on Belle Isle and Amour Point, in the Strait of Belle Isle, will 

 very much facilitate the navigation thus pointed out. With the caution 

 thus indicated, this route offers many advantages. The Canadian mail 

 steamers now follow it, although an accident from Ice to one of them, in 

 the month of May, 1861, will act as a warning.* 



• When within the gulf, the Northern shore should not be made too free with, as it 

 is possible that some outlying rocks may have escaped the vigilance of the surveyors. 

 Orange Bock, off Ooacoacho Bay, is an example ; the S.S. Noi-th America discovered it 

 by striking on it in September, 1858. It is IJ mile outside the line of dangers, near a 

 jpot where the Admiralty chart showed no bottom at 47 fathoms. 



