Travels Of Richard And John Lander Into The Interior Of Africa For The Discovery Of The Course And Termination Of The Niger By Robert Huish
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The River Is Not Much Frequented,
Owing Probably To Its Being Unknown, And The Difficulty Of Crossing
The Bar; For
Not more than five English vessels have been known to
come to it, two of which are stated to have
Been lost, and a third to
have struck on the bar, but being a new strong vessel, she beat over
into deep water. The Landers recommend any master going to the river
for palm oil, to provide himself with two good strong six-oared boats
for towing, and a double complement of Kroomen. The expense of ten or
twelve Kroomen would be trifling, as they only require a few yams and
a little palm oil to eat, and they are always ready to perform any
laborious work which may be required of them. If masters of vessels
coming to the river would send a boat before to sound, and have two
good six-oared boats towing, it is supposed there would be no danger
of any being lost, as has been the case with some, from being weakly
manned. Vessels are got under way with a fine breeze, and when they
arrive in the most dangerous part, it dies away, and if there be no
boats ready for towing, nothing can save them from destruction.
Vessels going out of the river are usually recommended to keep as
near as possible to the western breakers, but this plan is supposed
to be very dangerous, unless there be sufficient wind to keep command
of them.
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