And as there is a great nook or bay, it
appears on coming from sea as if this cape were an island separate from
the continent. This is what was named the promontory of Possidium by
Ptolemy. Not more than a stones throw from this promontory is a small
islet called the Isle of the Robones. For Roboan[272]in Arabic
signifies a pilot, and in this isle dwell the pilots who are in use to
direct ships coming from sea to the ports for which they are bound
within the straits. This islet is round and quite flat, about the sixth
part of a league in circuit, and the channel between it and the main
land of Arabia may be crossed on foot at low water; but at one
quarter-flood it becomes too deep for being waded. To seawards from this
little island about a league from the coast is an island about a league
and a half in length, which has a large haven on the side towards
Ethiopia secure in all winds, where a large fleet of gallies may be
safely harboured; but the side of this island towards Arabia has neither
harbour nor landing-place[273]. This channel is easily sailed in the
middle, steering N.W. and by W. from S.E. and by E. having 11 fathoms
all through. It is all clean in every place, without flats, shoals, or
any other obstruction, so that it may be passed on either side or in the
middle. The whole ground is a soft coral rock, with hardly any sand.
Being far within the channel, and going to seek the road or haven for
shelter from the east winds which are here very strong, the depth
somewhat diminishes, but is never less than 9 fathoms.
[Footnote 269: Meaning Abassi, Abyssinia, or Habash. - E.]
[Footnote 270: The cape on the Arabian shore is called Arrah-morah, or
of St Anthony, and that on the African Jebul al Mondub, or Mandab,
which signifies the Mountain of Lamentation, as formerly explained
respecting Bab-al-Mandub, the name of the straits - E.]
[Footnote 271: In Arabic Al Bab is the gate, and Al Abwah the gates.
By the Turks it is called Bab Bogazi, a general name for all straits;
and the babs by the English sailors. - Ast.]
[Footnote 272: Rather Roban or Ruban. - Ast.]
[Footnote 273: The island of Prin. - E.]
Besides this channel of the Arabians[274], there are many others by
which we may safely enter the straits; but we shall only mention one
other, which they called the channel of Abyssinia, between the Island
of the Gates, or Prin, and the promontory opposite to Possidium,
which is on the Abyssinian shore, and is about five leagues broad; but
in this space there are six great high islands, which being seen by
sailors while without the straits are apt to put them in fear that there
is no passage that way; but between all these islands there are large
channels of great depth all of which may be taken without danger, or
leaving them all on the right hand, we may pass in safety between them
and the coast of Abyssinia.
