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:
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 456 of 809
Words from 124176 to 124458
of 221361
