MOSAMBIQUE. 
21 
returned with a native pilot, and we learned that we were a few 
miles to the northward of Mosambique. This circumstance^ 
of overshooting the harbour, very commonly occurs to ships 
coming from the southward ; the Staunch and Marian fell into 
the same error, and spent two days in getting up their ground. 
As a caution, it is particularly necessary to observe, that Table 
Mountain, the first object visible on approaching the coast, 
bears by compass from the harbour, N.b. W. The people on shore 
received Mr. Green very civilly, and he found that the name 
of the village was called Mozimbe, where a Portuguese officer 
resides, which renders it a very convenient place for ships from the 
northward to get a pilot when unacquainted with the harbour. 
The sea-breeze setting in, or rather the prevailing wind, as is 
generally the case after mid-day, coming more round to the east- 
ward, enabled us to steer a southerly course along shore, and soon 
afterwards we discovered the flag on the fort of Mosambique. 
We passed close to the Island of Quintangone, and were just able 
to weather the Isle des Arbores off Cabaceiro, during which 
period I took sets of bearings that much assisted me in laying 
down the annexed chart. Hence we continued a course direct for 
the Island of St. George, until we arrived within three quarters of 
a mile of it, when, having the three outer islands in one line, we 
bore up for the harbour. The marks for entering it are toler- 
ably well given in a chart by Mr. Arrowsmith, excepting Pad 
Mountain, which lies at so great a distance in the interior as to be 
seldom seen, and therefore must not be relied on as a sea-mark.* 
* The improved directions given in the body of the chart were laid down by Captain 
Weatherhead. 
