The China Sea directory - Sabrizain.org

222 PASSAGES. [CHAP. IV.
vessels may proceed by it speedily and comfortably, instead of beating
about outside^ against a heavy sea and 'an adverse current. .
For passages in the China sea, north of Singapore, see Vol. II.
.j'
Suuda Strait to Red Sea in S.W. monsoon.—Sunda
strait at this season affords a shorter route than Malacca strait for steam
tea clippers and others from the northern ports of China. Having cleared
Sunda strait, edge away into about 8° S., keeping in that parallel to Diego
"Garcia, where coal may, if necessary, be obtained. From thence cross the
meridian of 60° E. in about 5° S., and the equator in about 55° E. ; thence
to Ras Asir {see p. 9). By this route a fresh fair wind is carried the
whole way, whereas by Malacca strait route a vessel meets the whole
strength of the S.W. monsoon.
CAPE OF GOOD HOPE TO SUNDA STRAIT.
WINDS in the INDIAN OCEAN,*—The south-east trade
wind which in the Indian ocean extends from the west coast of Australia
to within a few degrees of Madagascar, will be found between the parallels
of 4° and 25° South, from April to September, and between 10° and 30°
South, from November to March. To the southward of this trade, as far
as 60° or 70° S., the prevailing winds are westerly, which will be found
with more or less force and irregularity at all seasons.
The Monsoons southward of the equator blow from S.E. from the
middle of April till the middle of September, and from N.W. varying
to W.S.W. from October to March. These monsoons extend from near
the African coast far into the Pacific ocean, and from the equator to the
parallel of 8° or 9° S., and near Australia, to 12° or 14° S.
The South-east Monsoon, which is the period of fine season, may
be considered an extension of the south-east trade, blowing within three
or four degrees of the equator when the sun is near the northern tropic,
and receding to 10° or 11° S. when the sun is near the southern tropic.
The North-west or westerly Monsoon is subject to many irregularities,
with occasional heavy gales, thunder, lightning, and rain ; it sometimes
does not set in before November or December, rarely blowing with
regularity and strength except in December and January, when it
occupies a space comprised between lat. 10° or ] 2° S., and 2° or 3° N.
DIRECTIONS.t— On leaving the Cape of Good Hope steer boldly
to the southward, so as to run down the easting in lat. 39° or 40° S., where
* See Admiralty Wind and Current charts for the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian
oceans, 1875.
t See Admiralty charts:—Indian ocean, No. 2,483; scale, m = 0-2 of an inch-
Indian ocean, sheets I. and II., Nos. 748a and 7486; scales, m = 0-5 of an inch; also
Ice chart of Southern Hemisphere, No. 1,241.