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September inclufive. Saldanha Bay has yet no defences what-
foever, but I underftand it was the intention of the Dutch Government
to fortify the entrance.
Having now pointed out fome of the principal conveniences
that the Cape poflefles as a naval ftation, it will be right to mention
the difadvantages under which it labours -in this point of
view. The moil ferious of thefe, which, indeed, is the only
material one that I am acquainted with, is the want of a fecure
and convenient harbour for refitting, repairing, or building Ihips.
The two principal bays that are reforted to by ihipping, one in
the fummer, the other in the winter months, are entirely.open,
and. expofed to the two prevailing winds, the north-well and
the fouth-eaft ; nor does it appear to be practicable, by any ex-
pence, to render them fecure and iheltered, nor to conftruCt any
kind of dock or harbour for the reception of large Ihips, and
fcarcely even of fmall craft.
If any thing of this kind were to he attempted it could only
extend to the accommodation of the1 latter, and the only place
for this purpofe would be at Rogge Bay, where nature has laid
an excellent foundation of rock, clofe to which there is a con-
fiderable depth of water, where the fwell of the Tea is broken
by the jutting points on which are ereCted the Amiterdam and
the Chavonne batteries. At all events, this would be a much
better and more , convenient landing place than at the prefent
wooden wharf, which is barely kept up at an enormous annual
expence.
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