SOUTHERN AFRICA. 215 
The invading fleet, if fuperior in force to that on the ftation, 
might eafily be fupplied with frefh provifions, either at the aa- 
chorage off Roben Ifland, where they could lie In perfed fecu- 
rity, or in Saldanha Bay. At fix miles diftance to the north- 
ward of this bay, there is good water at a place called WiUe Klip^ 
the White Rock, and not bad, though, perhaps, a little brackifh, 
at feveral places on the eaft fhore of the bay ; and I have little 
doubt that plenty of good water might be procured by digging 
wells at the foot of the Blauwberg, or even on Roben Ifland, an 
operation which the Dutch have neither {kill to conduct, nor in- 
dultry to accompiifli. 
Some, however, are of opinion that the place would befl: be 
taken by a Coup de Ma'in^ by dafliing at once into Table Bay in 
afouth-eaft wind, and cutting out all the fhips that may happen 
to be at anchor. In doing this, they would have to fuflain the 
fire of Craig's tower and battery, Fort de Knokke, the fea lines 
and the caft:le, but the three heavy batteries, on the wefl: coafl: of 
the bay, would pour their fire into their own fliips. There are 
few places, however, wheire fo great a fire can be concentrated, 
as can be brought to bear on the anchoring ground of Table 
Bay. The batteries are mounted with a confiderable number 
of heavy guns ; but, it is true, they are very old ; a great part 
of them honeycombed, and the carriages of many completely 
demoliflied. The Amfl:erdam battery has alfo many defed:S5, 
and, in the opinion of fome naval officers, would foon be filenced 
by a fingle (hip of the line, brought to lie clofe alongfide 
of it. 
Others 
