Islands in the Southern Indian Ocean, Westward of Longitude 80 East, Including Madagascar Volume 1 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1891 edition. Excerpt: ... have delineated on rough charts for their own use, giving names to the different anchorages and points, often quaint but generally appropriate. On account of the danger of approaching this weather side, one vessel only now visits it, and she, of 100 tons burthen, is provided with an anchor and cable as large as that of the Challenger of 1,400 tons. The volcano and hot springs near Bonfire beach, northward of cape Bourbon, are difficult of access, except from the west coast, which is said to be very shoal off this part. Mary Anne Strait, between Saddle or West island and the main island is said to be 30 yards across at its north end, and 220 yards at its south end. Vessels may enter it from the southward, and find secure anchorage in 20 fathoms and upwards, good holding ground. Thunder bay, north-eastward of Saddle island, has not more than 2 to 3 fathoms on the bar at the entrance, and breakers frequently extend right across with the prevailing westerly wind; in the rare easterly winds, the icebergs broken off from the mount Richard glacier are drifted out of the bay, so that the anchorage is at all times dangerous. The reader is referred to the chart for further information. Mcdonald Islands. The MCDONALD ISLANDS, situated about 26 miles westward of cape Laurens, the north-west extreme of Heard island, consist of two small barren islands lying close together, and an outlying sugar-loaf rock, named Meyers rock, at one mile northward of them. They were discovered by Captain McDonald, of the British ship Samarang, in January, 1854. Landing is inpracticable on account of the precipitous cliffs surrounding them. The southern end of the large island is a saddle hill 630 feet high; its two peaks are in a line on north and south bearing. The...