TIDES FTKST NAKROW. 



In the eastern entrance the winds will frequently favour a 

 ship\s arrival off the First Narrow ; where, if she selects a good 

 anchorage on the bank which bounds the northern side of the 

 channel, she may await an opportunity of passing through the 

 First Narrow and of reaching Gregory Bay ; where also a delay 

 may safely be made for the purpose of passing the Second Nar- 

 row and arriving at the neighbourhood of Cape Negro ; at which 

 place the difficulties and dangers of the eastern entrance cease. 



The dangers being carefully placed on the chart, and now 

 sufficiently described, nothing need be repeated here; and 

 indeed much must be left to the judgment and discretion of 

 the navigator. 



The tides answer best for vessels entering the Strait at the 

 period of full and change of the moon, since there are two 

 westerly tides in the day. In the winter season, if the morning 

 tide be not sufficient to carry a vessel through the First Nar- 

 row, she may return to Possession Bay, select an anchorage, 

 and be secured again before night ; or, in the summer, if she 

 has passed the Narrow, and has been enabled to anchor for 

 the tide, there will be sufficient daylight for her to proceed with 

 the following tide to Gregory Bay, or at least to a safe an- 

 chorage off the peaked hillocks on the north shore. 



I have twice attempted to pass the First Narrow, and 

 been obliged to return to the anchorage in Possession Bay; and 

 twice I have passed through it against a strong breeze blow- 

 ing directly through, by aid of the tide ; which runs, in the 

 narrower parts, at the rate of ten or twelve miles an hour. 

 When the tide and wind are opposed to each other, the sea is 

 very deep and heavy, and breaks high over the decks ; it is 

 therefore advisable to close reef, or lower the topsails on the 

 cap, and drift through; for the tide, if at the springs, will 

 generally be sufficient to carry a ship to an anchorage, al- 

 though, not always to one where it would be safe to pass the 

 night. On this account, it would be prudent to return ; 

 for, although the holding ground is exceedingly good, yet, ta 

 part in the night, or drift towards, or through the Narrow, 

 could scarcely happen without accident. 



