April.] ROBBEN ISLAND— DASSEN ISLAND. 



311 



such violence, that after tripping the anchor, and sheeting home the 

 fore-topsail, with the yard on the cap, the Antarctic was going at the 

 rate of eleven miles an hour. But, as we left the bay behind us, the 

 wind became more moderate ; so that when we were in the passage 

 between Robben Island and the main, we had all sail on the schooner, 

 which was then going at the rate of thirteen and a half miles an hour. 



CHAPTER V. 



Robben or Penguin Island — Dassen or Coney Island — Arrive at Angra Pequena 

 — Sand-winds, and a moving Column of Sand — Intercourse with the Natives — 

 The Guinea-worm — A Horde of Macasses, or Makosses — Ogden's Harbour — 

 Cape Frio, or Cold Cape — Great Fish Bay — A Tribe of the Cimbebas — Ex- 

 cursion into the Interior — Port Alexander — St. Philip Benguela — St. Philip's 

 Bonnet — Province, Bay, and Town of Benguela — Anchorage, Landing, Soil, 

 Climate, Productions, Water, &c. — Animals, Vegetables, and Minerals — De- 

 scription of the Coast — Sailing Directions. 



In leaving Table Bay with a strong south-east wind, if bound for a 

 northern port, I would advise all navigators to pass between Robben or 

 Penguin Island and the mainland. In entering this bay from the same 

 quarter, I have already advised a different course, and adduced my 

 reasons. It was reported that Robben Island had been sunk by an 

 earthquake on the 7th day of December, 1809. It appears, however, 

 that this report had not quite so good a foundation as the island itself, 

 which still retains its former situation, with all its old characteristics. 



This island has a sandy soil, with a ridge of moderately elevated 

 land in its centre, running from north to south. On its eastern side 

 there is now a small establishment for the whale-fishery. Some grapes 

 and culinary vegetables are raised on the island, which can also boast 

 of several springs of good water ; it is of small dimensions, however, 

 being only about six miles in circumference. Penguins and quails 

 resort hither in the propagating season, where they establish their 

 nurseries ; but do not get into the best of company, the island being 

 occupied as a depot for convicts from Cape Town, who are employed 

 in quarrying limestone, of which the base of the island is composed. 



At half-past three, P. M., we passed between Dassen or Coney 

 Island and the shore of the mainland. This island lies about ten 

 leagues to the north and west of Green Point lighthouse, and is situ- 

 ated in latitude 33° 27' S., long. 18° 2' E. It lies nearly eight leagues 

 to the southward of the entrance to Saldanha Bay, and four miles from 

 the main. It is about six miles in circumference, with little elevation, 

 and a sandy surface. The shore is foul, and dangerous to approach 

 on its south and west sides, as there are sunken rocks running off- 

 shore to the distance of two or three miles, which will bring a ship up, 

 and do not always show themselves ; but on the north and east sides 

 the shore is bold, and clear of dangers, close to where good anchorage 

 may be found, with southerly winds, in from fifteen to eight fathoms 



