580 SUPPLEMENTARY REMARKS ON WINDS, ETC. 



decided movement. The sky is perfectly cloudless, except for a low and 

 ill-defined bank of cloud on the East and S.E. horizon. There is, however, 

 a decided haze, which gradually obliterates the horizon, and rendeps the 

 Desertas invisible from Funchal. The highest temperature reached is 

 rarely much above 90°. When the Leste has blown itself out, it is almost 

 invariably followed by rain or thick mist, as it becomes gradually replaced 

 by the cooler prevailing N.E. wind. {Quarterly Journal of the Royal 

 Meteorological Society, vol. xvii., 1891). 



Small vessels, from North America and the Western Islands, come in, 

 generally, round the West end of the island, but are frequently becalmed 

 a considerable time under the high land there. For this reason, ships, on 

 leaving Funchal, should make sail with the land wind, and stand directly 

 off from the road ; ships bound to the southward, by taking a contrary 

 method, having continued several days becalmed under the western part 

 of the island. 



Land and sea breezes prevail during summer, off the valley of Funchal, 

 requiring some judgment to bring a sailing vessel to the anchorage. The 

 sea breeze generally sets in about 9 or 10 a.m., blowing between S.W. 

 and W.S.W., and even more westerly, gradually dying away towards the 

 evening. The land breeze springs up about 9 or 10 p.m., and dying away 

 about 2 or 3 p.m., leaves an interval of 4 or 5 hours calm. 



Those riding in Funchal Roads should be very active when they observe 

 a swell coming in from the S.W. or S.E. ; at this moment, no time is to 

 be lost in getting under way, for the swell indicates that a gale is certainly 

 coming on ; particularly so in the months of December and January, 

 generally the commencement of the rainy season. Should it come on to 

 blow very hard from the westward, the best mode is to run to leeward of 

 the Desertas, where shelter from the wind may be found, and water per- 

 fectly smooth ; thus you avoid the risk of losing sails, by heaving to 

 windward. 



Steen Ground. — ^A sandy islet has several times been reported as lying 

 in about lat. 32° 20' or 32° 30' N., at distances varying from 100 to 200 

 miles westward of Madeira, one captain placing it in long. 21° 15' W. It 

 has been searched for in vain, but was again reported in 1860, as an islet 

 with a sandy beach, 1| mile long East and West, and 2| cables wide, in 

 the shape of a crescent. 



Several banks have been found rising from great depths, between 

 Madeira and the coasts of Europe and Africa ; these are treated of here- 

 after, in the Section on Shoals, Vigias, &c. 



