_Remarks from the Period of my Embarkation at St. Helens, to my arrival at
Sierra Leone--Sketches of the Land discovered in the Passage--its Bearings
and Distance--with Observations upon the Bay and Entrance of Sierra Leone
River, &c._

Previous to my arrival and landing in the river Sierra Leone, on the 6th of
April, 1805, I shall notice my passage, and display the sketches I have
taken of the land we fell in with, its bearings and distance, for the
observation of the mariner, which from position and prominence to the
Atlantic, claim his most serious attention in running down the coast of
Africa to-windward.[1]

On the 9th March, 1805, I sailed from St. Helens in the ship Thames,
commanded by James Welsh, in company with a fleet of ships bound to the
East Indies, under convoy of his Majesty's ship Indostan. We had a
favourable run down Channel; but, after making to the westward of Scilly,
a heavy gale of wind separated the Thames from the convoy, which we never
afterwards regained, and were therefore obliged, at all hazards, to
proceed for our destination upon the coast of Africa.

Nothing interesting occurred during a prosperous and quick passage, until
the high land of Sierra Leone appeared in view on the evening of the 5th of
April. We came to an anchor outside the Capes, and weighed the next
morning, steering our course for the river.

The space between Leopard's Island, situated to the north, and Cape Sierra
Leone to the south, forms the entrance into the river Sierra Leone; being
in latitude 8° 30" N. and in 13° 43" W. long. and is computed about seven
geographical leagues distant. The river empties itself immediately into the
ocean; and its level banks to the north are covered with impervious