STEAM-BOATS. 



477 



whole of the year ; but at present it can only 

 be passed four or six months in the year. 

 From Carthagena the goods go by water to 

 Mahates, are landed, and proceed by mules or 

 asses to Barranca, where they are shipped on 

 board Champans, and go as far as Honda. 

 Carthagena will then offer more security to 

 the property deposited, in case of invasion; 

 and less risk in the passage to the Magdalena, 

 than Santa Martha. In the year 1823, five 

 large bongos were lost in crossing the bar, at 

 the entrance of the Cienega From December 

 to April the current runs strong ; and the con- 

 stant wind from the north-east blowing hard, 

 makes a heavy sea on the bar, which prevents 

 the bongos from passing through without diffi- 

 culty. By the way of Carthagena, the goods 

 are more protected, and not exposed to the 

 plunder of the Indians, as they are at Santa 

 Martha by going through the Cienega. 



Mr. Fibers, a German gentleman, possessed 

 of great enterprise, has an exclusive grant for 

 navigating the Magdalena with steam-boats 

 for a period of twenty years; and has like- 

 wise undertaken to complete the water com- 

 munication from Carthagena to Magdalena ; so 



