204 



A VOYAGE TO 



but since it lias been frequented by the English^ it has 

 become much better known, and the dangers have in 

 consequence diminished as far as an acquaintance with 

 the situation and nautical skill can diminish them. 

 But there are still serious dangers to be encountered^ 

 and which are beyond the power of man to obviate. 

 The principal, perhaps, is the south-wesi wind, which 

 blows during the winter months, May, June, July, 

 and August, with dreadful violence, while the harbors 

 on its shores, ^.fford but a very imperfect security. 

 On the north side, the shore is rocky and dangerous; 

 on the south it is flat, and the water extremely shoal; 

 the channel is therefore on the north side, between 

 what is called the English bank and the island of 

 Flores, about ten miles in width; the largest vessels 

 may pass with little danger unless the wind be very 

 violent. Between Monte Video and Buenos Ayres, 

 the navigation is still more difficult on account of 

 what is called Ortiz banks, which render the channel 

 narrow and intricate. These banks consist of hard 

 sand, and it is almost as dangerous for vessels to 

 strike upon them as to strike upon a rock; but the 

 chanqel is generally of soft mud, in which a vessel 

 may sink several inches without experiencing any in- 

 jury.* 



* The pamphlet of ^captain Haywood, an English ofticer, con- 

 tains many excellent observations. While the commissioners 

 were at Buenos Ayres, commodore Sinclair and the officers of th6 

 Congress, occupied themselves in acquiring an acquaintance witfe 

 the dangerous navigation of this river in which so many vessels 

 have been wreckeii. I have in my possession a copy of a memoir, 

 accompanied with a chart, drawn up by commodore Sinclair, which 

 would be liighly useful to persons navigating this river. 



