SOUTHERN AFRICA. 361 
From the hoiife of Slabert we crofled the country to Saldanha 
bay, which, as a fpacious, fecure, and commodious fheet of in- 
land fea water, for the reception of (hipping, can fcarcely 
perhaps be equalled in any part of the world. It extends in 
length near fifteen miles, in the direftion 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 iflands, two of 
which, named Jutten and Malagas, are partly without ; and the 
third of fiat naked rock, called Marcus, is diredly in the mouth 
of the paffage, 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 Me wen. Between 
thefe is a narrow pafliage into the fouth angle of the bay, which 
is called the Laguna, or lake, where cutters, fchooners, fifliing 
fliips, 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 fhipping, being land-locked and fliel- 
tered from all winds. There is alfo a very excellent landing- 
place near a mafs of granite rock, which is convertible into a 
com.modious pier. The weftern fhore of Hootjes bay is fl^irted 
3 A 
