HISTORY OF MAURITIUS. 
7 
flags, which have been placed there to mark out the passage, to the extremity of the 
harbour, is about a mile and three quarters. In the first part of the channel there is 
about eighty feet water; at one-third the length of it, between Fort Blanc, and 
the forts of the Isle of Tonneliers, there is forty-eight feet water; and in the 
remaining third of the channel, within the Isle des Tonneliers, near the bulk for ca¬ 
reening vessels, there is sixteen, eighteen, and twenty feet water; and in the har¬ 
bour, without the mole, before the powder magazine, there is from eight to fourteen 
feet water. 
On the left side of the port, on entering, there is a natural bason called Le Trou 
Fanfaron. This bason, which is three hundred fathom in length, and sixty wide, is 
not more than eight or ten feet deep, on account of the earth or land which had been 
carried into it by the water, and on account of the coral banks which have grown 
there; but, as we shall state hereafter, according to the observations of M. de Tro- 
melin, M. de Rochon, and others, this bason might be cleared out, and put into a 
condition to receive a considerable number of vessels, and to afford them the most 
perfect security, even against the effects of hurricanes. 
We shall not enter at present into any further details respecting this harbour. 
The chart of the island, which forms an important part of this volume, and an ac¬ 
count of the different points which will be given hereafter, will afford all the illus¬ 
trations necessary to this branch of the general subject. 
The tides are not very perceptible at this island. Those of the equinox rise 
three feet; the common tides rise at most but two feet two inches. It is always 
high water about noon, at the new and full moon. The winds also have a con¬ 
siderable influence on the tides; which are elevated by those of the west and 
north-west. 
The following letter of Captain John Blake, of the ship Halifax, dated off Mau¬ 
ritius, the 19th July, 1753, respecting Port Louis, and the manner of entering it, 
forms a natural sequel to those which have preceded. 
“ It is a very convenient port, in which vessels may refresh and repair at a very 
small expence, and with the greatest expedition; this place being a magazine of all 
kinds of materials and provisions which a ship may stand in need of. Good beef 
costs but two-pence a pound, fish a halfpenny, and venison at the same price. 
Turtles are in great abundance, and are brought from Rodrigue Island, where, on 
that account, there is always a detachment of eight men. I mention this circum- 
