A voyage to Abyssinia (Salt)/Appendix 2

by Henry Salt

No. II.

Directions for entering Mosambique Harbuour, extracted from Captain Thomas Weatherhead's Journal. Referred to in p. 27, as "being in the body of the Chart;" in which, for want of room, it could not be inserted.

Having reached the offing, steer for the N. W. point of St. George's Island, giving it a birth of a quarter of a mile, to avoid a dangerous reef which projects from the point, over which in clear weather you will observe the sea breaking as you approach it. Having passed this island steer for the flag-staff of the Great Fort, keeping Pao Mountain (when it is to be seen) a sail's breadth open of the Northern Bastion, if a northerly wind prevail; and on with it, if a southerly. This mark will carry you up in a line with Casa de Balwertez, a low church at the foot of the eastern angle of the Great Fort, off which runs a reef to the N. E. about three hundred yards, steep to, and dry at low water during spring tides. The pilots have no mark for this spot, but go entirely by their distance from the fort and Cabaceiro shoal, which is to be distinguished by the colour of the water.^[1] After passing the Great Fort, from which you will be hailed, keep about three cables length from the shore, till you are abreast of the Government-house, when you may come to an anchor in five fathoms. Moor ship as soon as you can, with your best bower to N. E. and the second to S. W. The tide flows full and changes at five o'clock, rising from fifteen to seventeen feet, perpendicular flow:—strength of the spring tides, three miles and a half per hour:—neap tides not more than twelve feet flow, and strength one mile and a half per hour. This harbour is very commodious for careening a ship, having a flat level sand, and being admirably protected from the sea.

1. These directions are given in case of not being able to get a pilot, which happens very rarely; though the entrace into this harbour should not be attempted, if possible, without one, the shoals being steep to, and the reefs consisting of coral rock and large stones.