HISTORY OF MAURITIUS. 
101 
Vessels may enter the port with safety, from the end of May to the beginning of 
December; the other months are subject to very dangerous hurricanes.* 
On the northern side of this island there is a bay that affords excellent anchorage, 
and a secure shelter for ships of all dimensions. There are also ample supplies of 
wood, and excellent water may be obtained with the greatest facility.t 
It is high water at the new and full moon, at three quarters past twelve at noon; 
N. by E. and S. by W. The spring tide rises from four to five feet perpendicular 
height, and the common tides seldom more than a foot. There are different 
points of land which direct a safe steerage into the north-west channel, but that of 
the north-east has not the same advantages. The principal point of view for the 
former is, first, the French Governor’s house, or rather that of the superinten- 
dant, appointed by the Governor of the Isle of France, to direct the cultivation 
of the gardens there, and to overlook the park of land turtles. Secondly, the 
park of land turtles, which is on the seashore facing the house. And, thirdly, 
the mountain called the Sugar Loaf, which rises above the Oven valley. In this 
road there is excellent anchorage in sixteen fathom water; there is also abundance 
of fish, turtles, and sea cows, with cabbage trees, lemon trees, &c. 
The bottom of the road, as well as that of the sides of the vallies, is sand, the 
same as that which covers the shore. The whole island is covered with mountains, 
woods, and rocks. 
There are two entrances into this bay: that of the north-west is the best, the 
channel being the largest and deepest. That of the north-east is sufficiently deep, 
since there is, in every part of it, from five to ten fathom water; but there is not 
sufficient breadth between the reefs of rocks, which lie from one to four fathom 
beneath the water. This bay presents to the view one spacious opening; but the 
centre of it is occupied by a large oblong bank of sand and rocks, of about eighteen 
hundred fathom in length, and eight hundred broad, which stretches across the open¬ 
ing. This bank, however, is covered with a shallow sea, from one and an half to 
* Isle Rodriguez was more subject to hurricanes than the Isle of France. 
f This account is given according to a plan of this port taken in 1761, and made by order of 
Admiral Cornish, who was then cruizing near this island, by the late Admiral Kempenfelt! which 
plan was entrusted to me by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, with the gracious per¬ 
mission to employ it for the illustration of this work. I am under similar obligation to one of the 
very respectable Directors of the East India Company. (Note of the Author.) 
