308 



TABLE BAY. 



[1829. 



still farther east is a small fort, with a line of redoubts. This bay is 

 an excellent place for all kinds of refreshments. Bullocks, sheep, 

 hogs, and poultry may be had at a moderate price, with various kinds 

 of vegetables and fruits. Fuel, however, is scarce and dear. The air 

 here is generally cool in the night, although the sandy soil is greatly 

 heated by the sun during the day, and this causes land-breezes from 

 Table Bay to come off in hot gusts during the evening. 



The southern or outer point of Table Bay is called Green Point, on 

 which a lighthouse was erected in 1825, four years previous to the 

 date of this part of my journal. It is about two miles north-west of 

 the town, and is situated in latitude 33° 53' 30" S., long. 18° 19' 20" E. 

 Five miles to the northward of this lighthouse is Robben or Penguin 

 Island, which is two miles in length from north to south. The west 

 and south sides are surrounded by sunken rocks and breakers ; but 

 there are no dangers more than two cables' length from the island, 

 with the exception of a sunken rock that lies one mile south of the 

 southerly point, commonly called the Whale. 



Ships may anchor off the eastern side of Robben Island, in five or 

 six fathoms of water, sandy bottom, half a mile from the shore, where 

 they will be completely sheltered from the westerly swell, and lie in 

 more safety in the winter season than they will in Table Bay. Ships 

 bound into this bay, coming from the north, and passing between 

 Robben Island and the main, should keep the light on Green Point 

 bearing about south-west-by-south, until they are past the island, in 

 passing which the least depth of water will be six fathoms. After 

 passing the island you may steer a direct course for the anchorage, 

 when you will have twelve, ten, eight, and at the anchorage six fathoms 

 of water, sand and muddy bottom. Arrowsmith's map is correct for 

 this port. 



But in going into Table Bay when coming from the north, I would 

 always advise ships to pass to the west of Robben Island, taking care 

 to keep the lighthouse on Green Point to the eastward of south-by- 

 east, from the ship, until within one mile of the point, when you may 

 steer east-by-south, until the lighthouse bears south-west-by-west, when 

 you may steer for the anchorage, and moor in from five to four fathoms 

 of water, in the summer season ; but in the winter, ships should never 

 anchor in less than six and a half fathoms, as the northerly gales send 

 a very heavy swell into this bay, which often breaks in four fathoms. 



Small vessels in entering Table Bay may keep the right-hand shore 

 close on board, as there are no dangers more than one hundred and 

 fifty fathoms from the shore that will bring a ship up. In entering 

 this bay about noon, or a little after, I would advise ship-masters in- 

 variably to take one or two reefs in the topsails before they come up 

 with Green Point, as it is generally the case, in the summer months, 

 that before coming up with this point, ships may carry all sail ; and 

 the moment they open the bay, they will find a single or double reef, 

 and often, in the afternoon, a close-reef breeze. Thus, by using this 

 precaution, ships will not be in danger of losing their spars, or splitting 

 their sails ; and after opening the bay, if they should not find too muoh 



