SOUTHERN AFRICA. 361 
From the houfe of Slabert we crolTed the country to Saldanha 
bay, which, as a fpacious, fecure, and commodious iheet of in- 
land fea water, for the reception of fhipping, can fcarcely 
perhaps be equalled in any part of the world. It extends in 
length near fifteen miles, in the diredion of the coaft, which is 
about north by eaft, and fouth by weft ; and the entrance into it 
is near the northern end, through a ridge of granite hills, mode- 
rately high. In this entrance are three rocky iilands, two of 
which, named Jutten and Malagas, are partly without ; and the 
third of flat naked rock, called Marcus, is dire£lly in the mouth 
of the palTage, about three quarters of a mile from the northern, 
and a little more than a mile from the fouthern points of land, 
forming the entrance. Thefe and the ifland being once forti- 
fied, would render the bay inacceflible to an enemy's fleet. To 
the fouthward of the entrance, and within the bay, are two 
other iflands, called the Schaapen and the Mewen. Between 
thefe is a narrow paflTage into the fouth angle of the bay, which 
is called the Laguna, or lake, where cutters, fchooners, fifhing 
fhips, and all kinds of fmall craft, to almoft any amount, might 
lie as fecurely as in a dock. On the north fide of thefe two 
iflands is alfo good and fafe anchorage for large fliips ; and it 
was here that the fquadron of Admiral Lucas was lying, when, 
captured by that of Sir George Elphinftone. 
But the northern part of Saldanha bay, diftinguiflied by the 
name of Hootjes bay, affords the moft eligible, convenient, and 
fecure anchorage for large (hipping, being land-locked and (hel- 
tered from all winds. There is alfo a very excellent landing- 
place near a mafs of granite rock, which is convertible into a 
commodious pier. The weftern fliore of Hootjes bay is ficirted 
3 A by 
