56 VOYAGE TO MADAGASCAir. 



hundred and fifty feet, commands the har- 

 bour^ fo that an enemy at anchor would not 

 long be able to withfl and the fire of its batr 

 teries. A bold fhore furrounded with break- 

 ers renders it very difficult to land here ; 

 and accefs to the fort would be impradlica- 

 ble, were it ftrengthened by fome additionai 

 works. This fort, called Fort Dauphin, h 

 of an oblong figure^ and is furrounded with 

 good walls built of lime and fand, covered 

 witli ftrong cement: it was thought needlefs 

 to enclofe it on the fide towards the har- 

 bour. The anchoring grouad is excellent : 

 a fhip here would fooner break her cables 

 than drive on her anchors : but the fea 

 winds J and above all the frequent and 

 ftrong north- eaft breezes, are very trouble- 

 fome to fhips moored in this port, the en- 

 trance of which is bounded on the fouth by 

 Cape Ravenate, and on the north by the 

 point of Itapera* The beautiful river of 



Fanfliere, 



