A importância das monções para as viagens marítimas

James Horsburgh é o autor destas recomendações náuticas (escritas em 1841) para os comandantes dos navios que viajavam de e para Macau na primeira metade do século 19.

"The South west Monsoon is favourable for sailing from Manila to Macao and you may then steer direct for the Grand Ladrone if the wind is steady at SW when the coast of China is approached endeavour to make the Grand Ladrone bearing about N by E or North but if it incline to veer to the northward or eastward steer for the east end of the Great Lema and proceed in by that channel.

Departing from Manila Bay and bound to Macao in the North east Monsoon coast along to Cape Bolina from thence you may stretch off if the wind admit a northerly course to be steered but with the wind between NE and North particularly in ships which sail indifferently it will be proper to work along the coast or to keep near it till abreast of Cape Bajadore before they stand off for the coast of China.

The outer passage from Macao towards Pulo Aor (zona do Camboja) by the Macclesfield Bank should only be adopted in March and April at the commencement of during the strength of the North east Monsoon the inner passage along the coast Cochin China being preferable.

Departing from Macao Road, if the outer passage is to be followed, keep within a moderate distance to the west sides of Potoe and the adjoining islands when the wind blows strong and hangs far to eastward there is generally a heavy sea upon the beam with a leeward current rendering it necessary to steer about SSE from the Grand Ladrone to get soundings on the Macclesfield Bank With the wind at NE and moderate weather a course S by E 1/2 E will generally carry you over the eastern part that bank but if lon. 1º East of the Grand Ladrone is exceeded the getting soundings will be uncertain for in such case you will probably pass to the eastward the bank."

Em cima uma pintura de autor anónimo. Retrata a baía da Praia Grande na primeira metade do século 19. Ao contrário de outras feitas nesta época, não tem representadas as igrejas da Sé e a Mater Dei.

Este testemunho é de 1838 e foi publicado no Literary Gazette:

"The principle walk is the Praya Grande which is smoothly flagged with large stones and extends along nearly half of margin of the bay The present has extended this pleasant evening prome nade round eastward to the Fort at the entrance of the Bay and would have carried much further but that the Chinese govern ment interfered and would not allow the coo lies to work at it. (...)

The Praya is the grand resort and on moonlight nights the Portuguese families and especially all the beaux and belles promenade till a late hour and afterwards take al fresco suppers on the green at the east end of the town or sit there on chairs which they bring out for the purpose of listening to the Governor's band or the Commander in chief's. I know not which it is. By the way that same band plays some of Rossini's music very skilfally."