342 
HISTORY OF MAURITIUS. 
Manivoul to the north by north-east, at the distance of six or seven leagues. Ships 
moor there east-north-east, and west south-west; when it is necessary to remain there 
some time, it will be proper to heave out a third anchor, on the north-west side. 
“ Within the reef of Foul Pointe there is a small cove, in which large ships 
may enter, the bottom being from six to seven fathom. The only difficulty is to 
stretch the cables in such a manner as not to rub against the rocks : to be there 
in perfect safety, iron chains are absolutely necessary, and the vessel must be secured 
with four hold-fasts, to prevent her from swinging. 
“ It is an easy matter to traffic for all the necessaries that may be wanting; at 
the same time the inhabitants are to be mistrusted. As the port is filled with banks, 
before you send the boat, it is proper to wait till high water. At all events y Foul 
Pointe should not be frequented but in the finer season of the year, as the reef is 
capable only of affording shelter in moderate weather. I pass on now to the de¬ 
scription of the Island of Sainte Marie and Antongil Bay , where ships may also 
approach. 
“ Thirteen leagues and an half to the north-north-east, 5 0 east of Foul Pointe 
road, is the south point of the isle of Sainte Marie , situate in 17 0 5' latitude. This 
island, which the natives of the country call Nossi Hibrahim , or Isle d’ Abraham, 
extends north-east by north to 16 0 33', which is the situation of its northern point. 
The channel that divides it from Madagascar is a very fine one, and ships of 
any size may pass through it. Its narrowest part, which is about the middle of 
the island, is a league and two thirds from the point de VAree in Madagascar, and 
the southern point of the cove of Lokinsin on the isle Sainte Marie. From the 
point de V Aree, there extends a bank to the east-north-east, about the third of 
a league in length, in from two to three fathom water. The point of Lokinsin is 
also surrounded by a reef, but in the midst of a channel, whose depth is from forty 
to forty-five fathom. 
“ The southern point of Sainte Marie is formed by a flat islet, which is separated 
by a channel, about a stone’s throw in breadth. This islet is surrounded by a reef, 
which extends near half a league to the south; and all the eastern part of Sainte 
of July, 1757, an eclipse of the moon, which was equally observed at Marseilles, Toulouse, Rouen, 
and Beziers, of which I have received the correspondent observations; from whence I concluded 
that Foul Pointe was 3 h 9' 5" more to the east than Paris, and consequently in 47 0 16' 15" east 
longitude. 9 ' 
