was moderate, seldom blowing more than a treble-reefed topsail breeze, prevailing chiefly from S.S.W.; but the current was almost always against us, at the rate of from eighteen to thirty-four miles a day, increasing in velocity as we approached the narrow part of the sea, between the Malay peninsula and the Natunas and Anambas. Under the lee of these islands, (or to the northward of them,) we found the direction of the current change from north-east to east. I would recommend keeping under their lee, until in the latitude of the Anambas; then stretch across to the main, where there is anchorage all along, which is not the case amongst the islands, for they are very imperfectly known. H.M.S. Hyacinth arrived at Sincapore on the 3rd of July, thirty-three days after her departure from Macao.

Sincapore to Anjer through Banca Straits.

The south-west monsoon from Sincapore to Banca was light and variable, chiefly from the southward, inclining to the S.S.E. through the Straits of Banca, and gradually losing itself in the E.S.E. trade that blows directly through the Java Sea. The currents as far south as Pulo Taya, ran to the northward sixteen or eighteen miles a day, and near the Ilchester Shoals off the south-east end of Lingin, they run twenty-five. To the southward of Pulo Taya they were variable and uncertain, sometimes south. In the Straits of Banca there are tides, but so irregular in their direction, that we could not succeed in taking advantage of them.

Sumatra.-Is low, and covered with thick jungle. We found no land wind off the island at night; the water shoals very gradually towards it until 4 fathoms which are on the edge of a mud flat, that runs along it, and in some places a mile off from the shore.

Banca.-Monopin Hill is round and high, and easily distinguished at the distance of 30 miles. Horsburgh's chart and directions are excellent, but we found 11 fathoms between Frederic Hendric rocks, and Cape Batacarano, where 8 are marked on the chart. The Carang Timbaga rocks off Second Point, are above water and show in three patches a few feet above the surface; they are about two miles from the Banca shore, and have apparently a clear channel between.

In working up from Point Lalary to the First Point, we passed over a narrow patch of shoal having only 5 fathoms on it; we were off it before a second cast could be got, and anchored immediately in 101 fathoms, with the following bearings; Lalary Point N. 26° W., First Point S 20° E., False Point S. 27° W., highest peak of Parmasang (Banca) N. 5° W. The shoal to the E.N.E. a quarter of a mile. Current or tide W.N.W. 14 knot per hour. This shoal is not laid down in the charts.

There is good anchorage throughout the Straits of Banca.

Java Sea.

Lucepara Passage, July 17th.-We stood through it with an easterly wind: shoaled the water on two occasions to 3 fathoms; but as we bordered on the main (the safest side) we deepened immediately by hauling a little to the eastward.

After clearing these shoals a course should not be shaped to the southward of S.b.E. for it is particularly necessary to guard against a strong set to the westward which in twelve hours after a run of seventy miles, carried us about sixteen miles to leeward, and into 4 fathoms water; the main land at that time being just visible from the deck, about ten miles distant. We tacked off and got clear; but from this I should say that no ship ought to shoal the water less than seven or eight fathoms.

Brother Islands.-Should not be brought to bear to the westward of S.W.b.W. to avoid the Browers shoals. We passed them close on the western side, and steered S.b.W. a good course for Thwart-the-Way. Anchored with the kedge in 35 fathoms between the Button and Cape St. Nicholas, tide or current running E.N.E. one mile and a half per hour.

Anjer Roads.-Anchoring marks, Cap N. 19° E., centre of Thwartthe-Way N. 34° W., off the pier-head half a mile in 10 fathoms water, mud. We could get no bullocks, but there are plenty of sheep, pigs, poultry, with fruit and vegetables in abundance. Water is sent off by the Dutch Resident in his own boats and casks, for which we paid one dollar and a half per ton. Sheep are two dollars a head, and their average weight is 15 lbs.

On the next day of our arrival, a large ship attempted to get through the Straits to the north-east; she had a light fair wind, but the current was too strong for her, and was running directly opposite to what we bad it the day before, i.e. about W.S.W. Weather squally with thunder and lightning.

HINTS FOR PROCEEDING DOWN THE SOUTH-WEST COAST OF AFRICA. THE great difficulty is to get to the southward along shore, the current generally setting from to 3 knots from the southward per hour; but it is often found to change and set to the southward at the same rate on new and full moon, and lasting from two to three days; sometimes, but very rarely until the quarter.

Going to the southward in a sailing vessel, I should recommend the commanders to keep working down at a distance of from 80 to 100 miles from the shore, never less: standing off to a distance of 150 to 200 miles, until it be possible to fetch to windward, or to southward of the place of destination. At the distance above-mentioned a strong current is often found setting to the southward, and the winds are always commanding, i.e. of sufficient strength to ensure beating down with a slant in a short time: whilst on the contrary, near the shore, land and sea breezes, with calms between, and calms for a day or two often prevail, which makes beating down in-shore very tedious, it being absolutely necessary to anchor during the calms and northerly currents, and also when the wind blows directly along shore with a northerly current, over which it is impossible for the generality of sailing vessels to beat without a slant.

To the commander of a weatherly steam-vessel I should recommend

the off-shore passage; but to him of a leewardly steam-vessel I should strongly recommend the in-shore passage.

Rollers set in very heavy from Cabenda Point to near the red hills at the entrance of the Congo, and should be avoided, as they often break very heavy from 1 to 2 or 3 miles from shore in 10 or 12 fathoms water. (The Wolverine," with a moderate breeze had some difficulty in getting off shore from the effect of the rollers.)

To cross the stream of the Congo, which runs to the north-west at the rate of from three to seven miles an hour, according as it may be a rainy or dry season, or neaps or spring tides, I should strongly recommend every commander making the in-shore passage, to go up the Congo on the north shore, about twelve or fifteen miles, before he crosses over to the south shore, if the wind be light or calm; but if the breeze be strong, (sea,) he may steer diagonally up or across the river, under all the sail he can carry, and he will easily fetch, if necessary, below Cape Padron.

Proceeding from Cape Padron it is advisable not to go inside 6 fathoms, there being one or two very shoal spots between that and Ambriz to Angola or St. Paul de Sevando,-not inside of 10 fathoms.

Wood and water (good) may be obtained at Mayamba, Soango, Cabenda, and Ponta da Linha, about thirty-five miles up the Congo on the north bank.

St. John River.-In going into this river in a boat, I would bring the west point of the river to bear N.N.E. per compass, about 1 mile off shore, then steer N.E. by compass, or N.E.b.E.; or, bring the east point of the river to bear about N.E.b.E., and continue so until you open the river clear, when I would steer the direct course of the river, about north by compass, making due allowance for tide, which on or near the bar with the ebb sets out about S.S.E.; the flood in the opposite direction varying slightly in its direction as the force of the tide alters.

Mr. Roberts adds:-When going in there is generally so much swell it is probable the compass will vibrate too much. In that case pull in, keeping the east point of the river a little open on the port bow, until you get sufficiently near to see the river quite open, then steer in the direction of the river, attending to the set of the tide, whether ebb or flood. It is advisable that boats should go in at last of flood, at high water, or, first of ebb, but at no other time during the spring tides. During neaps vessels cannot be brought out except at the top of high water, and it is seldom attempted. In the entrance of the Nun there are two bars, to cross which the same precaution must be taken as on entering the St. Johns or Brass. W. TUCKER. [Captain Tucker's letter on the Congo, as well as some further remarks on it by Captain Butterfield, will be found in our last volume.-ED. N.M.]

HONDURAS.-Omoa and the coast westward.-By Mr. G. B. Law

rance.

As much valuable mahogany is at present cut on the Southern river of British Honduras, and grants have been lately made by the Central

American government to the merchants at Belize, for cutting on those in the State of Honduras; this part of the coast is frequently visited by our shipping.

All vessels intending to load with mahogany from British Honduras, call at Belize to enter at the custom-house, and there having taken a pilot proceed to the mouths of the rivers on which the wood is cut, where the consignee has a cargo ready waiting for shipment. Should their destination be to the rivers in the State of Honduras, he then has to enter them, also at the custom-house at Omoa; and having loaded, clear out again there, and return to Belize before their final departure for England.

Such being the case, vessels proceeding to this part of the coast from Belize, generally prefer the channel between the main and the Cays. They sometimes come outside if bound for Omoa, but very seldom.

Lieut. Smith having surveyed the channel referred to; I shall confine myself to making the coast from the eastward. First

Making Omoa from to Windward.

Vessels coming from the north-east or eastward should be careful to make the land well to the eastward, to guard against Glovers Reef, about which the currents set in various directions. In thick dirty weather it would be advisable to make the western part of Rattan or the Island of Utilla, and then shape a course a little to the northward of Point Cabello; the high mountains to the southward of Omoa being scarcely perceptible during the season of the rains, from October to March.

The Saddle Hill in lat. 15° 45' 0" N., long. 79° 57′ 54′′, a remarkable hill, to the south-east of Omoa, is, I think, the best mark for making the harbour as it is generally visible, being of a moderate elevation (1760 feet) and not far inland.

In the dry season, from April to September or October, Omoa and Montagua Peaks are generally clear in the mornings, these from their great elevation and prominent features will assist materially in denoting the ship's place, as the mountains to the eastward Omoa are much lower than those to the westward.*

Not having extended the survey to the eastward of Omoa, as far as Point Cabello, I am unable to say whether any dangers exist between those places; but I imagine the only thing to be guarded against is a bank commencing at the point forming the harbour, and extending at its greatest distance from the shore, about two miles, off seven remarkable red cliffs, that may be easily distinguished at the distance of four or five miles from a ship's deck, bearing when in one with the Saddle Hill before mentioned S. 37° E. (mag.), distant from the entrance of Omoa 34 miles.

With these two remarkable land-marks in one, and at the distance of 3 or 34 miles off shore, the entrance of Omoa harbour will be seen bearing S.S.W. W., (mag.) forming a low prominent point. As the current generally sets strong in shore to the eastward, at the rate of 1 or 14 knots per hour, it will be advisable to close it gradually, steering

The height of all the mountains will be found marked on the chart.

about south-west until you observe the castle of San Fernando, which is very remarkable from its large dimensions, open of the point, now making out low and sandy, and for which you may at once haul in.

The particular plan of the harbour had now better be consulted, which will show clearer than any description the nature of the anchorage.

Directions, &c., for Omoa Harbour.

To small vessels drawing 11 feet water, it affords excellent shelter from all winds, and at times for others of a greater draught, as the bar at the entrance undergoes considerable changes both in formation and depth by north-westerly gales.

A few months before we surveyed it (July 1841,) the bridge of sand running from the main to the point, did not exist, and vessels drawing 18 feet water could enter the harbour or Caldera, as mentioned in the West India Directory, vol. 1, p. 194.

Vessels might with safety ride out a norther close under the sandy point, as the holding ground is good, and these gales, I am informed, generally haul round to the north-east. You must in this case drop your anchor close up to the point, within 30 or 40 fathoms of the shore; but as I have before observed the plan will better explain.

The castle of San Fernando is a regular fortification, capable of sustaining a siege, it having, I was informed, wells within the walls, bomb proof casements, &c., evidently in the best of order, when in possession of the Spaniards; but now, from old age and want of attention in a state of decay. Its general shape is that of an equilateral triangle, having one of its sides resting on the beach and commanding the anchorage. The guns of heavy calibre, brass 24 and 32-pounders, 10 or 12 in number, mounted "en barbette" on the bomb proof casements at an elevation of 40° above the level of the sea, range the whole length of the work, which convexes towards the anchorage forming an arch, the radius of which terminates at the apex of the triangle on the land side, which is also strenghtened by angles flanking either of the remaining sides.

The fortress is also defended from the country by a wall 15 feet high extending nearly round it. The gateway which is covered, and very strong is situated on its south-east side.

On its southern angle is a fixed light, the centre lamp 60 feet above the level of the sea, is in lat. 15° 47' 00", long 88° 03' 03": at present this is much neglected, in fact lit but seldom, and then only visible from the anchorage.

This fortress although strong on the sea side, is, I should think, in a military point of view, weak on the land, as the hill over the town commands it, which I fancy could be easily occupied by the enemy, who could effect a landing either to the westward or eastward of the harbour, and advance without the slightest annoyance from the guns of the castle. In fact it would appear that the Spaniards only contemplated an attack from the sea when they fortified this place.

The town of Omoa is at present little better than a large village, consisting principally of huts. From one of the most respectable of its inhabitants I was furnished with the following information: