274 



CAPE VERDS. 



[1828. 



point, extending about a cable's length, in a south-west direction. 

 There are also some rocks, which put off the west point of the bay, 

 to the distance of about one hundred fathoms, and in sailing from this 

 port in the night, it requires some care to avoid them, particularly 

 when the wind is light and well to the eastward. 



With respect to the anchorage, it may be proper to observe, that 

 large ships should lay well out, and not more than two hundred 

 fathoms from the east shore, in order to ensure their weathering the 

 west point of the bay, in going to sea at night, should the wind be 

 light, and far to the eastward. The wind generally hangs in that 

 quarter during the months of November, December, and January ; 

 though it occasionally veers to the northward. The best situation for 

 ships to lie in is with the flag-staff in the fort at the town bearing 

 north-west ; Point Tamaros, or the west extremity of the bay, south- 

 west; and the eastern point, east-south-east, off the landing-place 

 one mile, and off the east shore two cables' length. At this place the 

 winds are generally from the north-east quarter, and frequently the 

 weather is cloudy with squalls. It seldom rains in the dry season, 

 but a heavy haze mostly prevails. When the weather is settled, there 

 are often regular land and sea-breezes in the bay of Port Praya. 

 The sea-breeze sets in near noon, and ends about five in the after- 

 noon ; after which time the north-east wind sets in towards evening, 

 and continues during the night, and often until nine o'clock in the 

 morning. 



There is always some surf on the beach at the head of the bay ; 

 therefore, in taking fresh water, boats should lay at their grapnels, 

 and raft the casks on shore, and alongside of the ship, taking care that 

 they are perfectly tight and well bunged. When the surf is high, there 

 is a good landing-place on a rocky point at the south-east side of the 

 head of the harbour, where a pathway will be seen leading to the 

 town. It is also necessary to be cautious in carrying sail in boats in 

 the bay, as the puffs of wind from the highlands are very sudden and 

 dangerous. 



As soon as the refreshments were safely stowed onboard, I hoisted 

 the requisite signal on the fore, and got under way at nine, P. M., 

 while the governor's pass-signal was as promptly displayed from the 

 citadel. We steered to the south-west, with a fine breeze from north- 

 east, and fair weather. At ten, P. M., we saw the burning volcano of 

 Fogo, or Fuego, an island lying about thirty miles west-south-west of 

 St. Jago. 



This island is nearly circular, being about five leagues from east to 

 west, and four leages from north to south. On its eastern part is a 

 high volcanic mountain, which is continually burning, at times ejecting 

 flames and liquid sulphur. This island is very thinly inhabited ; but 

 it produces fruit, vegetables, cattle, sheep, and goats. Ships may 

 obtain refreshments here from the town of Luz, which is built at the 

 head of a tolerable good harbour, on the west side of the island. 



Nine leagues to the westward of Fuego is the small but fertile 

 island of Brava, which is about four leagues in circumference, and of 

 moderate elevation. It is said to be the most fruitful of all the Cape 



