PASSAGES. 



49 



tion of Krusenstern's Volcano, I limited the search under the equator 

 to the twentieth degree of west longitude, as I was apprehensive the 

 Equatorial Current might render it impossible to reach its assigned 

 position in longitude 20° 41' west, and latitude 2° 53' south. The 

 squadron passed over the locality three times, in different directions, 

 but saw no indications of a shoal. 



We were 25 days in reaching the equator, and 20 days from the 

 equator to Rio de Janeiro. 



Very great differences occur in estimating the latitude to which the 

 southeast and northeast trades extend, arising no doubt from sailing 

 to or from them ; in both cases great allowance is to be made for the 

 want of accurate observation, and disappointment often experienced 

 in losing or meeting them. As respects my own experience on this 

 voyage, and from information obtained, navigators give the latitude 

 where they lost the southeast trades, too far to the north, and in 

 sailing in an opposite direction, too far to the south; therefore, we find 

 several degrees of difference assigned the trades at the same period, 

 when they could not have altered to any extent. The condensed 

 table which Horsburgh gives as the result of his examination of 238 

 voyages shows this fact ; without this explanation his long list would . 

 be of little use, but with it, it becomes perfectly intelligible. Although 

 many of his sailing directions have been superseded, yet the debt that 

 all seamen owe to this great navigator is not to be measured. Few 

 men have done so much for the commerce of the world ; and his 

 industry in obtaining nautical information and compiling sailing direc- 

 tions, has been the cause of preserving many lives, and a vast amount 

 of property. 



In crossing the space between the northeast and southeast trades, 

 the changes of wind are at times sudden, and require constant atten- 

 tion ; sometimes severe and rapidly shifting squalls are experienced : 

 one of them happened to us in latitude 9° 30' north. The squadron 

 was sailing in close order, with a fresh breeze from the southeast, 

 when the vessels were taken suddenly aback by a squall from the 

 southwest ; in a few minutes we had the wind from different quarters, 

 so that it required during the time it lasted, good management of the 

 vessels to avoid running into each other. 



The approach to Cape Frio may be said to be safe at all times, the 

 lighthouse now established affording all necessary facilities to the 

 navigator to advance without fear or apprehension at night. When 



