T RAV

175PART II.•.A. F R IG .A.•VOYAGE Ta MOGaDOR IN SOUTH BARBARY.MARCH 1785.·-At the approach of the vernal equinox, and indeedduring the \vhole ofwinter, south-westerly winds prevail in this part of the,Atlantic, and caUse the progress to the southward to be usually tardyand disagreeable.A heavysurf also beats in -,:tpon the coast of Africa,which, frolll Cape Sparte), is bold, threatening, and inhospitable.NotwithstandIng,however, its perpendicular elevation, which appears topresent a wall as insuperable as perpendicular to the boisterous element,the latter surmounts every obstacle, and isseen at a distance ofmany miles from the shore~lofty cliffs, asif in defianèe of obstruction.ascending the fàces and summits of theseAn awful warning of whatavessel is to expect which does not duly preserve her offing..Repulsivea~ the prospect may be, it would·be weIl did the principle extendto the elements :. buttheconverse is the case. A very considerabl~in..draught to the shore is more than suspected here, so that it doubly behovesthe naviga'tor to be adv~rte[it on tbis point, in a sitl!latioll wherehe must wllOl1y depend upon his longitude *. The wioter bereis u5ua1Jy'* Thel'c is good reason to thin:k that the in-draught tG.. the Straits i$ more considerable, and exteùd.sftitther out to the west, than .people aregenerally aware of. It might produce very fatalcatastrop:Qcs, especially to vessels on the north of this important 'inlet, where the hidclcn roéks· runout far. The power of this in-draught, too, has saved vessel!! when aI?parently abandoned to destructionboth byGod and mail.