MINUTE ACCOUNT OF THE NAVIGATION OF THE ORINOCO IN A JOURNAL OF A PASSAGE UP THAT RIVER TO AN GOSTURA. SATURDAY 6th February.---Rainy morning with very light airs of wind. Ship on her way to the Orinoco. Soundings by the lead as we proceeded, just keeping the shore in sight 10, 9, 8, 71, 6 and 64 fathoms. Discerned the mouth of the Guyama River at 9 o'clock: almost calm at 10. At 12 the Captain took an observation of the sun, making the latitude of the Guyama river 8o. 36' very nearly in a direct line with it at the time. Our chart lays down the coast from Cape Nassau to Cape Sabanita, at least 25 miles more to the westward than it ought to be, and Cape Sabanita an equal distance further to the south than it actually is. It is thus named "A new and correct general Chart of the West Indies, including the Gulf of Mexico and Bay of Honduras, collected from the surveys, journals, and as tronomical observations of the most celebrated navigators, by William Heath, 1801." Only four miles south of the Orinoco, and about 26 east of it. On tasting the water about 12 miles distant from the shore, in a direct line with the Guyama river, found it still very salt. Tried it also last night about 30 miles further south, and found it also very salt, although much different in its colour to the sea generally, particularly to the waters that compose the Western Ocean. Calm at 12. A pleasant breeze springing up, about 3 the ship began to get a-head again at the rate of 6 or 7 knots. A hand in the chains sounding, gave us the depth of water as we drew in towards the land, steering W. 10, 9, 94, 8, 7, 6, 5 fathoms, and about 6 o'clock, when the land was just fairly in sight, about 4 fathoms, in which we brought up for the night, probably about 12 miles distant from the shore. The current strong enough here to keep the shipstern to wind, setting directly out to sea. Slime and froth on the surface of the water coming in lines from the N. W.: no doubt from the Orinoco. SUNDAY 7th.---Weighed about 9 with a light breeze and strong current from the river, setting directly out to sea rather inclining to the southward. Water still changing its course as we approach, first steering W. and then as the water becomes shallow ( less 4 and 4 fathoms) steering W. and by N. and W. N. W., the land just clearly in sight and the people at the mast-head now able to discover Cape Sabanita. Great numbers of round black seeds about the size of a trapball floating from the river with the current. Heavy sudden showers between 9 and 10. Weather rather close but not particularly oppressive. Orinoco about 12 miles distant Soundings by the deep 4. Tasted the water and found it fresh and pleasant as that of the Thames, softer if possible. At 11 shallowed our water to 34 and 3 fathoms, sandy bottom, put the ship about, now laying S. S. E. regaining the mud bottom. It is now evident that we are a short distance to windward of the mud bank, and 3 or 4 miles to the southward of its point. Can discern the situation of the mud bank very clearly from the light colour of the water over it. Put the ship about again to get to the northward of the point and gain the other side. Ran about of an hour, and having point Barima bearing S. W. and S. S. bore up and ran towards it, having 4 and water. Ship steering S. S. W. 34 fathoms W., the mud bank to windward, and point Barima now straight a-head. Soft bottom. Soft bottom.. Water on the bar a different colour to the main stream; same as the mud bank. Soundings 34 fathom. Bar just a-head. Now on the bar. Soundings as we proceeded 3 fathom, less 3, 3, less 3, 3, less 3, 21, less 3, 21, less 3, 24, less 3. Ship now lying S. S. W. 2 fathom, less 3, now S. and by W. W. less 3, S. and by W. less 3, 24. Island Cangrejos to leeward bearing W. S. W. Main land now bearing S. S. E. soundings 3 f., now over the bar, the latter 7 or 8 miles in length. Trees floating down the river. Crab island bearing W. and by S.; keep her away S. W.; soundings 3 f.; bottom hardening; 31 f.; keep her away rather more to southward; keep her S. W.; soundings. 3, less 4, deep 4, 44, 4 f. (sail a-head) 5, less 5, keep her up; (another sail a-head) 5 f. soundings. About 5 o'clock having come up with the first vessel, which we found to be a pilot cutter stationed here to look out for the ships expected from England; they hailed us and recommended our anchoring, which we immediately did in 4 fathoms water. Four persons came on board, one of whom being a pilot, and the others having departed, we weighed again immediately to take advantage of the tide, which was now setting up the river. It was about 4 o'clock, when we again weighed anchor and proceeded up the river with a pleasant breeze: ship steering nearly W., and the soundings 6 and 6 f. at 6. o'clock. Some time after 7 f., approaching the island Cangrejos, distant about 2 miles. Island now a-beam; soundings 74, 7, 8, 74 f. Ship going W. N. W. 8 f. at 9 and 10 o'clock as we advanced; the current now running down at the rate of about 2 miles an hour. Keeping extremely close to the right bank, often not more than 200 yards distant; we deepened our water to 9, 10, 11, and 11 fathoms. Continued all night going gently a-head against the cur |