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APPENDIX. 
weather, and a long cross sea from the westward, which was afterwards found to be the effect 
of a gale of wind in the parallel of 2lo N. ; but which did not reach us. 
There was very little current in this passage: what there was generally ran to the 
southward and westward, and averaged 3.6 miles a day. The barometer, though so far 
entered in the tropical latitudes, was perceptibly affected by the changes of weather, but 
maintained its horary oscillations. 
On my arrival I found that from the 15th to the 21st there had been very strong gales 
from the westward at Woahoo, and from the S. W . at Owyhee. This was, no doubt, the 
cause of the high cross sea we experienced from the 18th to the 23d. I found also that the 
Harbinger, an American brig, which quitted Monterey nine days after the Blossom, was 
obliged to lie to for three days, from the 20th to 23d January, in a strong gale from the 
S. W. She had steered a direct course for the Sandwich Islands, in which she experienced 
very variable winds, and, on the whole, bad weather, and was only one day less performing 
the passage than ourselves : whence I think it fair to conclude that nothing is lost by running 
well into the trade. During the winter season, I should recommend ships gaining the 17th 
parallel before they shaped a direct course for the islands. This seems to me to be the best 
mode to ensure a good passage and fine M'eather. 
remarks on the passage from the sandwich islands to MACAO (china). 
March Isi to /Ipril \0th. 
This passage was made at a late period of the season ; the north-east monsoon had 
become very faint, and about the Bashee Islands appeared altogether to have finished. 
Prom Woahoo to the Ladrones the passage occupied twenty-six days ; thence to the 
Bashee Islands twelve days ; and from the Bashee to Macao three days ; in all forty-one 
days. . 11 • 1 
The first part of the run was within the limit of the trade-wind; it hung generally in the 
eastern quarter, and with the exception of a few days’ rain, squalls, and very vivid lightning, 
in latitude 19° N., and longitude 170° W., the weather was very fine. 
Off the Ladrones we had a short calm; then a breeze at north; and made the passage 
to the Bashees with light and variable winds, first from the northward, and latterly from the 
S. and S. W. The weather during this period was remarkably fine. Off Formosa we took 
a strong northerly wind, which carried us to Macao. 
The currents from Woahoo to the Ladrones ran generally to the eastward, and averaged 
6.9 miles per day. 
I should recommend to ships making this passage to run down the parallel of 18“ 30 N. 
or 19° N., taking care of Wake’s Island, which is said to lie in latitude 19° 18' N.^ They should 
make the Island of Assumption, in latitude 19° 42' N., and longitude 214° 34' W., and pass 
to the southward of it. _ . , t 
Twelve miles to the southward of Assumption Captain Freycinet has discovered a ree 
of rocks, which may be avoided by keeping close to the above-mentioned island. Assumption 
is a small conical island, 2096 feet high, and apparently without any danger. Perouse 
anchored in thirty fathoms, within three quarters of a mile of its western shore. The Mangs 
bear from its eastern point N. 27° 07 W. (true). 
