The 16th, We Sailed Along The Coast 30
Miles, And Anchored At A Place Named Buducktor Or Bubuktor.
The 17th
sailing 30 miles along the coast, we anchored in 20 fathoms in the open
sea, near an island called Yenamani.
Going 20 miles along shore on the
18th, we anchored for the night off Khifate. We proceeded 50 miles
along shore on the 19th, and anchored at Molin. The 20th, we anchored
at sea 25 miles farther. Proceeding 48[245] miles on the 21st along
shore, we anchored in the evening out at sea. The 22d, after sailing 10
miles, we anchored again at sea. Being in a very bad anchorage, we
proceeded again on the 24th with a tolerably good wind. The half galley
left an anchor and three cables at this last anchorage, and one galley
ran aground but was got off. After advancing only 10 miles, we came to
anchor in 8 fathoms with good ground, and remained two days. Proceeding
85 miles along the coast on the 26th, we came to anchor in a road-stead.
[Footnote 244: In Ramusio this distance is made 60 miles. - Astl. I. 100.
e.]
[Footnote 245: Only 40 miles, in the copy published by Ramusio. - Astl.
I. 100. f.]
SECTION X.
Conclusion of the Voyage to Suez, and return of the Venetians to
Cairo.
On the 27th of May we proceeded on our voyage, sailing W.N.W. At noon we
were abreast of Tor or Al Tor, and continued our course for two
hours after night-fall, when the wind came foul, on which we lay too
till day-light, when the Moorish captain set sail again, and the other
gallies weighed anchor and hoisted their foresails. After running 100
miles we came to shoal water where we cast anchor in 6 fathoms, and
remained five days waiting for a fair wind. Leaving the bank on the 3d
of June, and holding on our course, we cast anchor sometimes on the
western coast[246] and sometimes on the eastern, having contrary winds,
and on the 15th we arrived at Korondol, where Pharaoh and his host
were drowned, and where are the baths of Moses as they are called. We
took in water at this place, where we staid two days. The 16th, the
fleet sailed from Korondol, and continuing its course for two days
together, we arrival at Suez on the 17th of May 1589, whence we had set
out on the 27th of June in the former year.
[Footnote 246: In the original called the Abyssinian coast, but
certainly that of Egypt. - E.]
On the day of our arrival, we began to draw the barks on shore. The 2d
of June we began to haul up the large galley, and next the half galley
of the Pacha, all the rest being unrigged and drawn up successively. On
this occasion the whole labour rested on the Christians, who acted as
porters and worked all the tackle for unloading, cleaning and unrigging
all the vessels: In short the entire fatigue lay upon their shoulders.
On the 16th, the Lemin[247] came and paid off all the seamen,
Christians as well as Turks, giving 180 maidans to each. The 19th of
August, the Emin, accompanied by seven boats, went to Tor to pay off
the gallies which remained behind, taking with him all the best and
strongest of the Christian mariners to navigate these gallies to Suez,
as they were in a manner disarmed, many of their crews having died and
others run off. At Tor all were paid off, and the Christians were
distributed among the gallies, which they brought up to Suez on the 20th
of October, and were all drawn up by the Christians, who worked hard
both day and night. On the 26th, all the gallies being hauled up, the
cables, rigging, tackle, iron work, planks, small cannon, and all the
other stores were carried into the castle of Suez.
[Footnote 247: In Ramusio the Emin, who is an officer of the treasury,
or the pay-master. - Astley, I. 101. a. - Probably Al Emin, and
originally written in Italian L'Emin. - E.]
The Red Sea, from Suez to its mouth extends 1800 miles in length; the
coast running all the way from N.W. to S.E.[248] This gulf is 200 miles
broad, and in some places more. In its whole length it is full of banks,
shoals, and shelves, towards the land on both sides, so that it cannot
be navigated by night, except in the middle. These obstructions are so
intricately disposed that the channels can only be discovered by the
eye, nor can the proper course be taken except by means of an
experienced pilot standing constantly on the prow, and calling out
starboard or larboard[249] according to circumstances. Owing to
this, the return voyage does not admit of being described so accurately
as the outward bound. There are two distinct kinds of pilots for this
sea; the one being acquainted with the middle of the gulf, which is the
passage outwards; and the others, called Rubani, are for ships
returning from the ocean, and navigating within the shoals. These are
such excellent swimmers, that in many places where they cannot cast
anchor on account of foul ground, they will swim under water and fix the
gallies within the shoals, and will often even fasten the prows under
water, according to the nature of the place[250].
[Footnote 248: From Suez to the Straits of Bab-al-Mandub, the direct
distance is about 1590 statute English miles, or 1200 geographical
miles, 60 to the degree. From the Straits to Cape Guardafu is about
433 English miles farther, or 375 geographical: Making in all 1825 of
the former and 1575 of the latter. The direction is S.S.E. - E.]
[Footnote 249: In the original Italian, Orza and Poggia, being the
names of the ropes at the yard-arms which are hauled when these words
are pronounced.
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