Page:A voyage to New Holland - Dampier.djvu/90

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Bahia Harbour and Forts.

good Harbour that is capable of receiving Ships of the greatest Burthen: The Entrance of which is guarded with a strong Fort standing without the Harbour, call'd St. Antonio: A Sight of which I have given [Table III. No. 4.] as it appear'd to us the Afternoon before we came in; and its Lights (which they hang out purposely for Ships) we saw the same Night. There are other smaller Forts that command the Harbour, one of which stands on a Rock in the Sea, about half a mile from the Shore. Close by this Fort all Ships must pass that anchor here, and must ride also within half a mile of it at farthest between this and another Fort (that stands on a Point at the inner part of the Harbour and is called the Dutch Fort) but must ride nearest to the former, all along against the Town: where there is good holding Ground, and less exposed to the Southerly Winds that blow very hard here. They commonly set in about April, but blow hardest in May, June, July and August: but the Place where the Ships ride is exposed to these Winds not above 3 Points of the Compass.

Beside these there is another Fort fronting the Harbour, and standing on the Hill upon which the Town stands. The Town itself consists of about 2000 Houses; the major part of which cannot be seen