SKETCH OF GABOON. 
423 
the Avork of the ship being heavy whilst in the river, and the crew 
suffering from the cUmate, (the first mate and carpenter dying,) no 
assistance could be spared for a survey. There are several large 
creeks in the river, Goongway is the most so, and Goombena the 
second. 
These names, being, of themselves, as uninteresting as the list of 
bearings would be, I shall reserve both the one and the other, with 
the outline of the river adjusted to them, for the Portfolio of the 
African Association; and also two or three sketches of the different 
parts of the river, not worth publishing, but, possibly, useful for 
the introduction of more accurate observers.* 
* I believe no instructions for entering the River Gabon are in print, the follow- 
ing were compiled from the log-book of the Lord Mulgrave, which has been laden 
in the river the three successive years she has been chartered as a store-ship by the Afri- 
can Committee, and beat into it this time. When standing for the river, from the south- 
ward, it is best to give Round Corner a good birth, as a shoal or sand-bank runs off be- 
tween that and Sandy point, and also in case of being becalmed, as the ground is foul 
and bad for anchoring. A channel goes in by Sandy point, but it is rarely used but by 
small vessels. Leave Round Corner about three leagues, and stand over for Cape Clara 
until you have the river well open, then steer for a bluff point about two miles inside of 
the Cape, where you will find from eight to ten fathom water. You may stand in, till 
you are about two miles from the above point, and then steer up the river, keeping the 
north shore aboard, and steering for the highest land you see, which lies above Quaw 
Ben's town. In mid-channel, you will find nine fathoms, until you bring Sandy point on 
a line with Cape Clara bearing S, S. E. You are then in the nairo est part of the 
channel, which is not more than two or three miles wide, and your greatest soundings 
will be six fathoms. When you are well inside these bearings you may haul off from the 
shore at your leisure^, and steer for Parrot Island. When athwart of Quaw Ben's town, 
and about five miles off shore, you will find twelve and thirteen fathoms. In standing 
up from Quaw Ben's, give Prince Glass's town a good birth, as a shoal runs off to some 
distance, your soundings will be from seven to nine fathoms ; you may anchor on any 
part of the north side, without danger. Between Konig and Parrot Islands, is very good 
anchorage in seven fathoms, and a soft, muddy, bottom ; thence to Abraham's town, you 
will have from seven to four fathoms at low water ; and small vessels may go a consider- 
able way up the river, for there are three fathoms at Naiingoo or George-Town creek. 
