Instructions for sailing from the Outer Roads of Buenos Ayres to Monte Video, by the North and South of the Chico Bank.
By the North, or Main Channel.
1. From three fathoms in the outer roads, steer E. by S. by the compass, until Point Santiago of the Ensenada of Barragan bears S.W. by the compass. Off this point, you will find from 5½ to 6 fathoms of water, according to the state of the river.
2. When the above-mentioned point bears S.W. steer E.N.E. until you make the Ortiz Bank, which will be when you lessen your water to 3 or 3½ fathoms. This bank may be approached, on the South side, without danger, as the water diminishes gradually. It is a very good guide to navigate in the night, or in thick weather.
3. From 3 fathoms on the Ortiz Bank, steer S.E. by the compass, until you make Point Indio. In this track, you will deepen your water to 5 or 5½ fathoms, crossing the middle channel, according to the state of the river. Passing the middle of the channel, the water diminishes gradually, according as you near the land.
4. When you think you are about 7, 8, or 9 miles from the land, which will be in 3¼ or 3½ fathoms of water, steer E.S.E. and coast it along.
5. When Point Indio bears S.W. by the compass, steer N.E. by E. until you see Monte Video, which may be seen about 30 or 33 miles distant from the top of a common-sized vessel. Keeping your course N.E. by E. you will continue in 3½ fathoms of water, until you find yourself 6 or 7 leagues from Monte Video.
6. When you find 5 fathoms of water, you will be 9 or 10 miles from the harbour of Monte Video.
From the said 5 fathoms to the harbour, it will lessen to 2½.
By the South of the Chico Bank.
1. From 3 fathoms in the outer roads, steer E. by S. as before, until you have 6 fathoms off Ensenada.
Before you lose sight of the town of Quilmes, you can see Point Lara, which is easily known by a grove on the side of the river.
S.E. of Point Lara, there is a large ombu tree on Mr. Wright’s stancia, distant about 2½ miles.
E.S.E. of Point Lara is the Point and Mount of Santiago, easily seen at the distance of 7 miles.
2. Having passed the bank of Ensenada, which runs out about 5 miles from Point Lara to the N.E. by N. steer S.E. by compass, until you find yourself 5 or 6 miles from land.
3. When 5 or 6 miles from land, steer E.S.E. by compass, to keep along the shore.
Before you lose sight of Point Santiago, you will see the ombu tree of the Balandra to the E.S.E. distant about 14 miles, and is one of those nearest the river.
From this ombu, the N.W. point of the Chico Bank bears N. 30° E. Keeping an E.S.E. course, after you have run a short distance, you will see Point Atalaya, resembling two mounts. Keeping still on the same course, you will see many ombu trees; and when you have run about six miles, you will see a large grove of them, where lies the town of Magdalene. The church of Magdalene is easily discovered, having two steeples, the largest at the east.
From this church, the S.W. point of the Chico Bank bears N. 15° E. by the compass.
Between the Chico Bank and the land, the least water you find is between the S.E. point and the coast; when the river is low, you have generally about 17 feet.
Having passed the church, you may keep farther from the shore, as you have likewise passed the Chico Bank; and keeping on your course E.S.E. you will see four ombu trees, being the last you will see.
After passing the last ombu trees, the shore is level, with shrubs, grass, turfs, and junks, until you make Point Indio, about 15 miles distant.
Point Indio is low level land, with only one tree on it; and to the S.E. you can see two large groves of tallow wood and espinillos.
These mounts are near Point Piedras and Point Indio.
From Point Indio, the S.E. part of the Ortiz Bank bears N. 30° E. by compass, distant about 14 miles.