APPENDIX V. 
Jxix 
Additional Remarks respecting Massowa made in February 1810, partly 
extracted from Captain Weatherhead's Journal. 
The town of Massowa stands upon an island of the same name, about three- 
quarters of a mile long, by one-quarter broad, in north latitude 15** 36' 15", 
and east longitude 39° 23' 30". Its harbour is easy of access, having deep 
water into it, though the channel is narrow ; and it will contain fifty sail of 
vessels with safety, provided they moor with one anchor to E N. E., and 
another to the W. S. W. In general, the wind comes from the land all 
night, with gentle breezes ; and towards ten o'clock in the forenoon it veers 
round to the eastward and blows fresh ; but no sea of any consequence 
comes into the harbour, owing to the narrowness of the entrance. The island 
is a place of no strength, having only two pieces of cannon laying on the 
ground without any carriages, and one field-piece mounted, which 
is not safe to fire : the armed force amounting to fifteen soldiers only with 
matchlocks, and a few spearmen. The buildings consist of four mosques, 
constructed in a plain style, and a few stone houses, many of which are 
now in ruins ; the great mass of the people residing in huts made of 
reeds, and covered with grass ; each of which has a small yard attached to 
it. The town is reg:ularly supplied with milk, bullocks, and goats from the 
country, which come over in a passage boat, that passes to and fro, from 
the island to the main, during the whole of the day. The people generally, 
however, come down to the jetty about eight in the morning, and return 
about sun-set to their respective homes : there are no wells of water on 
the island, but a considerable number of large tanks, which collect the 
rain-water, the greater part of which is kept in reserve for the purpose of 
supplying the Sheriffes dows ; the inhabitants being furnished daily with 
this article from the wells at Arkeeko. The natives charge for supplying 
a ship, one dollar for twenty skins, and a skin holds about five gallons. 
The trade of Massowa chiefly consists of cotton from Muscat and Bombay, 
which sells to good advantage in the interior, the natives manufacturing it 
into cloth, after mixing it with their own, which is of a superior quality. A 
few coarse Indian cloths, and coarse double-milled broad cloths, are likewise 
articles of import : the exports consist of gold, ivory, slaves, and corn^ 
