32 



ST. ANN'S — CAPE FRIO. 



[1822. 



itants of the deep, some of them were very acceptable for the table, 

 after being without fresh provisions for so many days. 



September 2d. — We arrived at St. Ann's Islands on Monday, the 

 2d day of September. These islands lie in latitude 22° 24' 30" S., 

 long. 41° 47' 15" W., directly before the mouth of the river Macae, 

 about three miles from the shore. The entrance to this river is not 

 more than forty fathoms broad, and unfit for vessels of more than 250 

 tons burthen. A little south of its mouth, and close to the shore, is a 

 ledge of rocks, which must be carefully avoided ; but every other part 

 of the coast near the entrance appears to be free from any such 

 hidden danger. 



On the northern side of the harbour's mouth is the village of St. 

 Joao de Macae, consisting of about 125 houses, some of which not 

 only present a handsome appearance, but are quite commodious in 

 their internal arrangements. Most of them, however, are of an infe- 

 rior class, consisting of a single story, small and inconvenient. The 

 exteriors of all of them are either painted or whitewashed, which 

 gives the village a picturesque appearance from a distance. A few 

 edifices of superior style and dimensions occupy an eminence near 

 the mouth of the river, on the summit of which are the church and 

 flag-staff. Here a flag is displayed when the passage is safe, for the 

 information of approaching vessels. 



In entering the harbour it is necessary to keep close to the rocky 

 point on the south side, and when abreast of it, to let go an anchor, giving 

 the vessel about twenty fathoms of cable. The Moro, or castle of 

 St. Joao, on the north bank of the river, is a conspicuous mark to 

 designate the bay of St. Ann's. Its situation is in lat. 22° 31' S., long. 

 42° 8' W. The coast hence to Cape Frio, with its numerous little 

 islands, will be best understood by referring to the late charts of the 

 Brazilian coast. In running for this cape, the navigator will find it a 

 high, rough promontory, separated from the mainland by an inlet, 

 which forms a snug harbour. The cap of the cape, for shape and 

 appearance, is the most remarkable and important landfall on this part 

 of the coast. The land between the promontory and the entrance of 

 Rio Janeiro is mostly low and sandy ; but as it recedes back into the 

 country, it rises into elevated and uneven mountains, presenting a 

 very beautiful and picturesque appearance. The latitude of the pitch 

 of Cape Frio is 23° 0' 30" S., long. 42° 2' 45" W. 



The harbour of Cape Frio is formed by Cape Island, and is about a 

 mile in extent each way, with a depth of water varying from twenty 

 to six fathoms. The best entrance is at the east, and on the south 

 side of an islet called Jiha dos Porcos. This passage is about a quarter 

 of a mile in width, and the depth of water in the channel varies from 

 twenty-five to fifteen fathoms, with a bottom of fine sand and mud. 

 There is also a passage at the west end of the harbour, but that is only 

 suitable for boats. About twenty ships may lie in this harbour in 

 perfect safety. Fresh water may be had at the wells in the coves on 

 the N. and N.W. There are wells, also, on an island at the west 

 end of the harbour, where some huts are to be seen. The tide flows 



