THE S. W. COAST OF MEXICO. 



87 



sometimes are, greatly accelerate the passages to the 

 westward — they last for several days together, with 

 a clear sky overhead, and a dense red haze near the 

 horizon. We experienced both in the Conway in 

 February 1822. The first, which was off Papagayo 

 on the 12th, carried us two hundred and thirty 

 miles to the W. N. W. ; but the gale we met on cross- 

 ing the Gulf of Tecoantepec on the 24th, 25th, 

 and 26th, was so hard, that we could show no sail, 

 and were drifted off to the S. S. W. more than a 

 hundred miles. A ship ought to be well prepared 

 on these occasions, for the gale is not only severe, 

 but the sea, which rises quickly, is uncommonly 

 high and short, so as to strain a ship exceedingly. 



From Acapulco to San Bias what are called land 

 and sea-breezes blow ; but as far as my experience 

 goes, during the whole of March, they scarcely deserve 

 that name. They are described as blowing from 

 N. W. and West during the day, and from N. E. at 

 night ; whence, it might be inferred, that a shift of 

 wind, amounting to eight points, takes place be- 

 tween the day and night breezes. But, during the 

 whole distance between Acapulco and S^n Bias, to- 

 gether with about a hundred miles east of Acapulco, 

 which we worked along, hank for hank, we never 



