MADRAS ROADS. 
11 
was again raised; and the flag hoisted to signify that 
ships might safely anchor in the roadstead. It may 
not be amiss to observe here., that a ship bound to 
Madras from England having sighted any part of 
Ceylon,, may shape her course direct for Madras flag- 
staff upon which the flag is always flyings except 
during the periodical gales. In the night, the light 
may be seen five leagues from the deck; and is of great 
service in guiding ships clear of the Pulicate shoal. 
Madras roads are open to all winds except that 
which blows from the west. The anchorage is very 
foul from the number of anchors left there ; though 
cast-iron is not the only metal which lies at the bot- 
tom in undisturbed repose,, for some years ago the 
captain of an Xndiaman, having turned a large invest- 
ment into gold; had it secured in a strong box and sent 
to the ship. The officer; not knowing the contents of 
the box; and from its size little imagining that it could 
be extremely heavy; made use of the ordinary tack- 
ling to hoist it on board; which however was not suf- 
ficently strong for the purpose intended ; for; before the 
box had been raised half-way up the ship’s side; the 
tackling broke; and a fortune was in a moment pre- 
cipitated into the deep; from which it was never re- 
covered. Divers were employed without success ; it 
is still among the anchors. 
The roadstead at Madras is liable at all times to 
be visited by sudden and severe storms; and even in 
the calmest weather there is continually a heavy 
swell ; nay; it has been noticed that all along the 
Coromandel coast the surf is frequently heaviest in 
calm weather; a circumstance for which no satisfac- 
