Page 531
An.1690
Signs of coming near the Cape of Good Hope.
our English Seamen standing over as they usually do, from the Coast of Brazil, content themselves with their Soundings, concluding thereby that they are abreft of the Cape, they often pass by without seeing it, and begin to shape their course Northward. They have several other signs where- by to know when they are near it, as by the Sea- Fowl they meet at Sea, especially the Alganoffes, a very large long-winged Bird, and the Mango- volucres a smaller Fowl. But the greatest depen- dance of our English Seamen now is upon their observing the variation of the Compass, which is very carefully minded when they come near the Cape, by taking the Suns Amplitude mornings and evening. This they are so exact in, that by the help of the Azimuth Compass, an Instrument more peculiar to the Seamen of our Nation, they know when they are abreft of the Cape, or are either to the East or the West of it: and for that reason, though they should be to Southward of all the Soundings, or fathomable ground, they can shape their course right, without being obliged to make the Land. But the Dutch, on the contrary, having settled themselves on this Promontory, do always touch here in their East India Voyages, both going and coming.
The most remarkable Land at Sea is a high Mountain, steep to the Sea, with a flat even top, which is called the Table Land. On the West side of the Cape, a little to the Northward of it, there is a spacious Harbour, with a low flat Island lying off it; which you may leave on either hand, and pass in or out securely at either end. Ships that anchor here, ride near the Main Land, leaving the Island at a farther distance without them. The Land by the Sea against the Harbour, is low; but backt with high Mountains a little way in, to the Southward of it.
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