378 
APPENDIX. 
A. Torres’ Strait, by reason of the Westerly Monsoon, viz., 
Sect. VI. month of December to that of March, easterly 
S. Coast, winds prevail upon the south coast, and are more regular and 
strong in that space between the land and the parallel of 
Bass’ Strait*. I have been told that the south-westerly gales 
that sometimes occur during that season, seldom, if ever, 
blow home upon the coast ; and that when they do reach 
the land, they partake more of the character of the sea 
breeze ^ be that as it may, a ship steering to the westward 
should keep to the north of 40°, in order to benefit by the 
regularity of the wind, which to the south of that parallel 
generally blows from some western quarter. From April to 
October the westerly gales are very constant, and veer be- 
tween S.b.W. and N.b.E. ; but, in the months of June and 
July, seldom veer to the southward of S.W. or northward 
of N.W. ; they are then accompanied by a deep and heavy 
sea. The wind, in the summer season, generally revolves 
with the sun, and, as the atmosphere becomes more dense, 
veers to the S.E., with fine weather. 
The marine barometer is here of considerable importance, 
as its rise always precedes a south-east wind, and its fall 
a change from the N.W. ; it seldom, however, stands lower 
than twenty-nine and a half inches. The currents generally 
set to the north, and seldom run with any velocity either 
to the east or west. A ship steering along this coast to 
the eastward, bound to Port Jackson through Torres’ Strait, 
should steer upon the parallel of 41°, to avoid being thrown 
into the bight to the west of Cape Northumberland, where 
wfith a S.E. wind, that would otherwise be fair for carrying 
her through Bass’ Strait, she would be detained probably a 
week. 
Upon making Van Diemen’s Land, she is ready for either 
* Horsburgh, vol. ii. p. 505, 
