Favourable ocean currents, page 24
In Young's Essay - and in some of his other works - he often hints at feeling jealous in regard to Trinidad's preferential treatment at the hands of the British colonial government. In this passage he is emphasising Trinidad's uselesssness without its neighbour Tobago.[page 24]
the Island,- its natural strength of Country,- and the
magnificent Harbour on the Northern Coast of Tabago, which
no storms ever Trouble, and which No ennemy can either
attack, or Blockade.
-Considering Manowar Bay, as a safe Place of Depôt,
It remains to show that “It is a convenient One”;- and to
Invite the making it a place of arms,- by the shewing
it by Nature,- to be a Port of Enterprize.
The Tropical Winds being in this Latitude prevalent
from E.S.E.- a vessel from Tabago, may run direct for
Barbadoes, with the wind on the Beam;- and to all
other west India Islands, with the wind most favorable.
Trinidad, lays due west, at only six Leagues distance,
and Tobago commands, and is the very Key of that
Important Island, as its Governor Picton well represented.
Currents and Eddies cooperate with the prevalent Trade
winds to favor the voyage to Trinidad;- and to Impede that
of Return:- From Courland, a vessel may run by the Boccas
to Port d’Espagne, in a few hours;- The vessel, for Return
must take a Northing,- and, as the sailors express it, “-go
“to sea to fetch Tobago,”- nor then make the landing in less days,
than it took hours for the Leeward Voyage.
In this exhibition
- Background information
- Gallery and transcription
- Introducing the Essay
- Natural resources of the island
- Tobago's relative position
- The Commercial & political importance of the island of Tobago
- The Commercial & political importance of the island, continued
- Port of enterprize and command, page 29
- Orinoco River, page 30
- Appeal to British merchants, page 31
- Historical political instability of the island, page 32
- The reach of the Orinoco River, page 33
- Potential trade agreements with Spain, page 34
- Further trade routes with South America, page 35
- Establishing the port of Courland, page 36
- Prospects of national advantage, page 37
- Conclusions
- Military significance of Man o' war Bay, page 38
- Further significances, page 39
- Military consensus, page 40
- French intentions for the island, page 41
- Suitability as a port for ships of war, page 42
- Relative safety of the island, page 43
- The necessity to prepare for conflict, page 44
- Revelations of an inside source, page 45
- Fas est, et ab hoste doceri, page 46
- Select bibliography