P. 19: "The shore of Tetuan is only safe when the wind is in the west, at which time ships ride secure; but when it veers to the east, they must remain no longer".
p. 22: "The bay of Tangiers is not very safe when the wind is in the west … the cables are liable to be torn, and the ships to be driven ashore. The best anchorage, for frigates and the larger vessels, is at the eastern point, whence they may easily set sail whichever way the winds sets; the bay, however, is only dangerous during the winter".
p. 24: "The passage of the river of Laracha is of sufficient depth; the larger vessels of the Emperor usually winter there, where there are magazines for the refitting of vessels, but no docks for building, the wood proper for which is too distant, and the foil, which is mercly sand, not being sufficient firm for the erecting of stocks. The road of Laracha is insecure on winter when the winds freshen from the west and south west, but there is no danger between the beginning of April and the end of September".
p. 27: "The river of Sallee was formerly a port capable of receiving large ships; but the sand has now so choaked up the entrance, that ships of two hundred tons cannot enter it till their guns and ballast are taken out".
p. 33: "There are some docks for building ships at Sallee and Rabat; but the difficulty of navigating the channel, and the probability that the sand will continue to accumulate, give ground to predict that, very soon, only vessels with oars will be able to enter the river". The road of Sallee is only to be frequented in the fine season, from the beginning of April to the end of September; when the wind blows from the south south west, which seldom happens but in winter this road is no longer safe;
p. 34: ships are exposed to be driven out to sea, and the shifting of the sands of the bar render any communication with the town extremely difficult. The best anchorage to be found is on the south side of the river next Rabat, and the ship should be moored between the tower of the mosque and that called Haffen, having the latter to be north. Great attention should be paid to the cables, as a great number of anchors here been lost".
p. 314: "The reigning Emperor, who has not inherited the ferocity of his forefathers, having deprived the regency of Sallee of its riches, privileges, and independence, commanded the Corsairs to act for his
p. 315: profit; and, considering the redemption of slaves as a source of revenue, he has treated them with more humanity".
In the beginning of his reign the Emperor had vessels built at Sallee, which would carry six-and-twenty, and even six-and-thirty guns; for the earthquake, so destructive to Lisbon, which happened on the first of November 1755, increased the depth of water at the mouth of the river to nearly thirty feet at flood time. The sands, however, annually accumulate, and the burden of vessels is obliged to be proportioned to the depth of water at the bar.
p. 317: "These large vessels inspired considerable fear, but little damage; heavily and disproportionately built, they were bad sailers, and perished, in time through the inexperience captains".
p. 318: "When Sidy Mahomet had made peace with the principal nations of Europe, he collected all his vessels into a squadron, that he might maintain his marine force, and adds to its respectability. Five of these his frigates, or xebecs, as they were returning from Tunis in September, 1773 were encountered off Cape Spartel by the Chevalier Acton, at that
p. 319: time the commander of a small Tuscan frigate. After a few broadsides he disordered and dispersed four of them. Reys Laschmi Misteri, of Rabat, who led the van, had the courage singly to engage the Chevalier, as well to relieve his associates as to give them time to rally, and returns the charge; but the valorous men of Sallee were not of the same opinion; they made for the Port of Laracha, and two of the four, in their great haste, were stranded. Reys Laschmi Misteri was forced, after a short engagement, to strike and was brought into Leghorn"."The whole naval force of Sidy Mahomet consists in little more
p. 320: than six or eight frigates of two hundred tons burthen, with port holes for from fourteen to eighteen six-pounders, and, perhaps, a dozen gallies. He has a number of sailors registered, who receive a small pay, but which is not fixed; so that his subjects are little inclined to a seafaring life, and become sailors with reluctance. The choice of commanders is less influenced by the opinion entertained of their capacity than that of their known wealth; the Emperor seldom will trust his ships to any but rich people, who are able to answer for accidents: this necessary occasions the commanders to sail late, and return soon, taking care to avoid all perils which may endanger their fortune and peace of mind".
Source
The Present state of Morocco its animals, products, climate, soil, cities, ports, provinces, coins, weights and measures. With the language, religion, laws, manners, customs, and character of the Moors; the history of the dynasties since Edris; the naval forces and commerce of Morocco; and the character, conduct, and views, political and commercial of the reigning emperor. Translated from the French of M. Chenier. Vol I. London 1788. Digitized by Google.
Note
(1). See also "The Moroccan navy in the years 1773-1774".
