Title
A Voyage to the East Indies: Page 70
Description
The Navigation from Bombay to Surat is said to be dangerous, and some Ships take a Pilot from Bombay. We went up with a foul wind, yet were in no Danger; such precise rules are laid down to avoid the sands which are on each Side, that a little attention carries the ship safe. We were a long while going up, having the wind in our Teeth, and a strong Ebb Tide against us, which obliged us to anchor frequently, but coming down, every thing was in our Favor. On the 30th of April we came to an anchor in Bombay Harbour, which is a very fine one secure on all sides, Yet as the winds blow directly on the Coast and drives a prodigious sea before it, those must be a swell in the Harbour. During the rainy Season all Commerce ceases in this Port; the Ships are stript of every thing to their lower Masts, which are only supported by a single stay each, & have Tubs turn’d over their Heads. The greater Part of them are thatch’d from one End to the other. They ride by Chains, which are very large and strong, yet nevertheless sometimes break, & ships are often a drift in the Harbour. . . The Beginning of the Rains is generally regular to a fortnight. The early Part of May generally produces it. A few light Showers fall the first three or four Days after which they grow heavier and become incessant. They continue in this Manner, two, three or four Months, attended all the while with Thunder, and Lightnings. The Weather, before the Rains come on, is excessive hot, & the Earth so parcht up, as to forbid walking on it, even the Natives can scarcely support it. No green Tree or [end page 70]
