Coast from Cambay.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 121 



scarce, and the timber required for building is brought from Dumaun and 

 the Malabar coast. Water is procured from wells, that of the river being 

 almost always brackish. 



DUMAUN, ob DEMAUN, a Portuguese settlement, is situated up a 

 river, in latitude 20° %2 N., longitude 73° 4' E. The mouth of the river is 

 defended by two forts, one on each side. The interior of the main fort is 

 neatly laid out in streets, intersecting each other at right angles. From 

 abreast the forts to the outside of the bar, is 1 \ mile. The bar is very flat, 

 and mostly a hard sand, except from the N. point of the river : it has not 

 more than two feet water, low spring tides, and there is a rise on ordinary 

 tides of 17 feet ; so that on springs there are never less than 3 fathoms at 

 high water. Dumaun is known from sea by two very high square 

 steeples, the whiteness of the buildings, and a fort on a hill, about 2 miles 

 to the S. of the river. 



Trade. — Dumaun was formerly a place of some commerce, but is now 

 much reduced. There is some ship-building carried on. Beautiful teak 

 vessels of 800 tons burthen have been launched from these yards. This 

 is the best place, after Bombay, to lay up small vessels for the monsoon, the 

 river being clear of danger for 3 miles above the forts. 



Provisions and Refreshments. — Provisions of all kinds are remark- 

 ably cheap and plentiful. Water is brought to the sea-side in jars by the 

 Gentoo women. Firewood is also brought down in carts, at one rupee 

 per load. The country is well stocked with ship-timber for repairs. 



BASSEIN. — This town is situated several miles up a river, the entrance 

 of which is in latitude 1& 3 IB' N. It is of considerable size, strongly 

 fortified, the streets wide and regular. In the middle of the town is a large 

 square, in which are many good houses. It was once a place of great 

 trade. 



Bassein river has shoal water extending a great way out from it ; the 

 coast is rocky under 5 fathoms, and should not be approached close, as some 

 of the rocks lie a mile from the shore. The poor fishermen's stakes are 

 placed a great way out, and ought to be avoided in the night, by vessels 

 working along shore. 



