'The Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society. From January 1865 to December 1867. (Edited by the Honorary Secretary.) Volume XVIII.' [‎89] (225/268)

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VISITED BY LIEUT. COL. MEBEWETHEK
Beke at Massowa. They had only arrived from Hallai the day before.
He talked of remaining until he received a reply from the King, but
I pointed out to him that the object for which he came, the release of
the prisoners, had been accomplished, and that his remaining longer
in the country was quite unnecessary; he had therefore better take
advantage of the opportunity of my going to Suez to return there. X
felt he was better away from the place, as his continued presence might
lead to a misapprehension of his object, and give rise to reports which
would be forwarded to the King, and might yet complicate matters.
He followed my advice, and is also on board the Victoria.
Berenice.—It had been my intention to proceed next to Suakin, but
I was told that at this season of the year strong head winds might be
met in the upper portion of the Xted Sea, on which account it would be
well not to run the supply of coal too close, and going into
Suakin might do so. I therefore abandoned the intention. It is a
well-known place, regularly visited now by Egyptian Steamers from
Suez, and I preferred making sure of being able to see Berenice and
Cosseir, the first being a place almost unknown, and having to inquire
at the latter regarding the Government Coal deposited three years ago.
Soon after leaving Massowa, when the northern end of the the Dhalai
group was cleared, course was taken for that usually held by the Mail
Steamers going up and down the Red Sea. This was followed till the
Island of St. John, 520 miles from Massowa. The Mail Steamer line
was there left, and the course changed to about north-west and by west
to Macour Island, 24 miles. Opposite this Island the mainland runs
from west to east nearly to a low sandy point, Ras Bunass. The best
passage to Berenice is between Macour Island and the mainland:
c °ral reefs exist on the edge of both, and rocks also on the mainland
S1( fr) but between them is deep water and a channel quite two miles
between the reefs. After running seven miles through this
channel about VV. S. W. open deep water is reached, but it is advisable
to dear the dangers in Foul Bay, then right ahead, to run up north-west
h Ve miles, which brings a vessel within about two miles of the coast,
a hmg Her or His Majesty’s Government in London. which she would then run nearly west six miles further to the
Sai % spit at the east entrance of Berenice Harbour. There is deep
Water ^ whole way, no danger whatever excepting a coral reef which
J x tonds a short distance out from the spit, but is clearly perceptible
m a ship’s deck. The actual Harbour of Berenice is a creek, running
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