Page:A Voyage of Discovery and Research in the Southern and Antarctic Regions Vol 2.djvu/293

] Port Louis, in possessing two very secure outer anchorages, where ships, calling merely for water and refreshments, might be readily supplied without passing the narrows, in perfect safety and protection from all winds.

Thirdly, vessels of large size may pass through the narrows into the inner harbour of Port William (known as Jackson's Harbour) with any wind. Port Louis cannot be entered by vessels of considerable size, except under favourable circumstances, of infrequent occurrence. This advantage in favour of Port William arises from the prevailing winds blowing through the narrows of Port Louis, rendering it necessary to beat through them; but they blow across the narrows of Port William, so that ships may usually sail either in or out without making a tack; the narrows of Port William, also, have bolder and better protected shores than those of Port Louis.

Fourthly, there is a sufficient depth of water for a first-rate in the inner harbour of Port William, and ample room for twenty sail of the line; at Port Louis there is not sufficient depth of water for a large class frigate.

Fifthly, Port William has a peculiar advantage over Port Louis as a naval station in the facility with which a ship or squadron may be despatched to sea, with the wind blowing fresh from the eastward, which it could not be from Port Louis in such a case.

From these considerations it was sufficiently