468 TIDES—FIRST NARROW. 
In the eastern entrance the winds will frequently favour a 
ship’s arrival off the First Narrow; where, if she selects a good 
anchorage on the bank which bounds the northern side of the 
channel, she may await an opportunity of passing through the 
First Narrow and of reaching Gregory Bay ; where also a delay 
may safely be made for the purpose of passing the Second Nar- 
row and arriving at the neighbourhood of Cape Negro; at which 
place the difficulties and dangers of the eastern entrance cease. 
The dangers being carefully placed on the chart, and now 
sufficiently described, nothing need be repeated here; and 
indeed much must be left to the judgment and discretion of 
the navigator. 
The tides answer best for vessels entering the Strait at the 
period of full and change of the moon, since there are two 
- westerly tides in the day. In the winter season, if the morning 
tide be not sufficient to carry a vessel through the First Nar- 
row, she may return to Possession Bay, select an anchorage, 
and be secured again before night; or, in the summer, if she 
has passed the Narrow, and has been enabled to anchor for 
the tide, there will be sufficient daylight for her to proceed with 
the following tide to Gregory Bay, or at least to a safe an- 
chorage off the peaked hillocks on the north shore. 
I have twice attempted to pass the First Narrow, and 
been obliged to return to the anchorage in Possession Bay; and 
twice I have passed through it against a strong breeze blow- 
ing directly through, by aid of the tide; which runs, in the 
narrower parts, at the rate of ten or twelve miles an hour. 
When the tide and wind are opposed to each other, the sea is 
very deep and heavy, and breaks high over the decks; it is 
therefore advisable to close reef, or lower the topsails on the 
cap, and drift through; for the tide, if at the springs, will 
generally be sufficient to carry a ship to an anchorage, al- 
though, not always to one where it would be safe to pass the 
night. On this account, it would be prudent to return ; 
for, although the holding ground is exceedingly good, yet, to 
part in the night, or drift towards, or through the Narrow, 
could scarcely happen without accident. 
