Bays, of either of the four Continents; the only large and remarkable one, is that of Benin and Calabar, towards which the Currents of each Coaſt tend, and is ſtrongeſt from the Southward, becauſe more open to a larger Sea, whoſe riſing it is (tho’ little and indiſcernable at any Diſtance from the Land,) that gives riſe to theſe Currents cloſe in Shore, which are nothing but Tides altered and diſturbed by the Make and Shape of Lands.
For Proof of this, I ſhall lay down the following Obſervations as certain Facts. That in the Rivers of Gambia and Sierraleon, in the Straits and Channels of Benin, and in general along the whole Coaſt, the Flowings are regular on the Shores, with this Difference; that, in the abovemention’d Rivers, and in the Channels of Benin, where the Shore contract the Waters into a narrow Compaſs, the Tides are ſtrong and high, as well as regular; but on the dead Coaſt, where it makes an equal Reverberation, ſlow and low, (not to above two or three Foot,) increaſing as you advance towards Benin; and this is farther evident in that at Cape Corſo, Succonda and Commenda, and where the Land rounds and gives any Stop, the Tides flow regularly to four Foot and upwards; when on an evener Coaſt, (tho’ next adjoining,) they ſhall not exceed two or three Foot; and ten Leagues out at Sea, (where no ſuch Interruption is,) they become ſcarcely, if at all, perceptible.
What I would deduce from this, beſides a Confirmation of that ingenious Theory of the Tides, by Captain Halley; is firſt, that the Ships bound to Angola, Cabenda, and other Places on the Southern Coaſt of Africa, ſhould croſs the Æquinoctial from Cape Palmas, and run into a Southern Latitude, without keeping too far to the Weſtward; and the Reaſon ſeems plain, for if you endeavour to croſs it about the Iſlands, you meet Calms,
