32 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Cape of Good Hope. 



o 



advantages, winch arc somewhat highly coloured, it has been proved, upon 

 a regular survey, ordered by the late Commissioner, Sir Jahlecl Brenton, 

 and taken by Mr. Goodridge, the able and well-informed Master Attendant 

 of His Majesty's Naval Yard at Simon's Town, that the bay could not be 

 land-locked till the water was too shoal even for a vessel of 100 tons ; that 

 it was fully exposed to the fury of a S. W. gale, the worst known on this 

 part of the coast ; and that a strong S. Easter brought down such flurries 

 from the mountains, as to make at times all entrance into, or return from it, 

 equally difficult and dangerous. 



FALSE HAY is formed by the Cape of Good Mope on the West side, 

 and Cape False, or Hanglip, on the East ; distance between them about 

 5 leagues, and to the sandy beach at the North end, a mile or two more. 

 Four leagues, about N. N. W. from Cape Point, and two from the N. W. 

 corner of False Bay, or Muysenburg, near the foot of the highest moun- 

 tain on the coast, called Simon's Berg, is situated 



SIMON'S BAY, in latitude 34° 15 S., longitude 18° 28 E., an 

 excellent harbour for ships during winter, when Table Bay is unsafe, and 

 where, at all times of the year, if moored well in, they can be sheltered from 

 all winds. The Bay and Town are protected by batteries from the N. W. 

 and S. E., and both town and neighbourhood have considerably increased 

 and improved within the last ten years, since becoming the principal, and 

 indeed only naval station in South Africa. The Naval Yard is now equal 

 to performing almost every service which His Majesty's ships may 

 require, having been rendered so under the auspices and direction of the 

 late Commissioner, Sir Jahleel Brenton, to whose unwearied zeal and 

 perseverance, aided by excellent officers under him, not only the Yard, but 

 Simon's Town and Bay in general are largely indebted. There are no docks; 

 but ships can be hove down, and frequently have been so, with perfect ease, 

 convenience, and security. Boats may communicate with shipping in the 

 Bay in the worst of weather, from the general smoothness of the water, and 

 the anchorage, which is very good, being so near the shore. They may 

 likewise lay at all times with safety alongside the Wharf, to which an abun- 

 dant supply of excellent water is brought by pipes, and conveyed into the 

 casks with ease. The town is full of small warehouses or stores, supplied 

 by the merchants of Cape Town, most of whom have agents here ; and 

 from many gardens to the S. E., as well as farms in the neighbourhood, 

 behind the hills, there are now large quantities of vegetables grown, for the 

 use of shipping. The hotels and inns in Simon's Town have lately much 

 improved ; ample means of conveyance are provided to and from Cape Town ; 

 and the road between the two places has been made so good under the admi- 

 nistration of Lord Charles Somerset, the present Governor, that any sort 

 of carriage may be used thereon with perfect ease and safety. 



