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ESTABLISHMENT This very humane Establishment was founded in 1803 by the Provincial Legislature at the recommendation of His Excellency, the late Sir John Wentworth Bart.[Baronet] then Lieutt. Governor and has since proved the means of saving many Lives. Every Year, vessels are lost. The years 1822 and 3 were particularly marked, as from L:Africain, Hope and Marshal Wellington 429 persons were saved who after escaping the dangers of the Surf, would otherwise have perished with hunger. A Superintendant and Four Men live on the Island, supplied with good boats and provisions. The Isle is visited twice a year by a Vessel from Halifax.
{ One occupied by Superintendant on N. side 9 Miles from W. end.
{ Another {also on N. side 4 miles from W. extremity and 2 1/2' from
THREE { W. end of the Lake
HOUSES{Unihabited {E.S.E. 5 miles leads to Superintendant
{Another { on S. side 9 miles from E. end and close to E.
extremity of the Lake
{ Uninhabited { W.N.W. 9 miles leads to Superintendant.
These Houses are not in sight from the Beach, but 3 or 400 years from it and the same also from the Margin of the Lake. Those uninhabited contain provisions, tinder box matches &c &c
There are fresh water ponds as will be seen by chart, but wherever the surface is moist, fresh water may be obtained by digging from 1 to 3 feet.
[Above notation written at top left of map)

GENERAL REMARKS
Soundings decline regularly only on S. side but approaching the Isle from any other bearing whatever there is comparative deep water. (10 fathoms and more) close to danger. Vide Chart. In foggy weathers, Vessels should not approach N. side or point of either Bar nearer than 25 fathms. Two belts encircle the Isle, the outer a mile from the shore 2 1/2 fathoms. these belts are increased by gales and high winds raking the Island drift the sand from them to the Bars. The Isle is composed of loose light sand and high gales frequently alter its outline and appearance. The present description applies to 1825. The bearings are by compass.
When a vessel is on shore in a fog, it becomes of the utmost importance to ascertain her true position in order to save the ship or the crew

Lower at boat} if {NW and SE you are on NW Bar
when prudent} breakers {W.S.W and ENE NE Bar
and observe the] extend {ahead N and then E and W South side
following:} {S E and W North side

The prevailing winds are from E. to S. and from S. to W. when N. or Leeward side is comparatively smooth and therefore should be sought. See in the Chart a swash way on each Bar to save Lives get to Leeward by crossing either Bar (according to the wind) at these places. No risk in moderate winds but if the surf should appear too dangerous, land as you can or try to weather the Bar altogether. Having once got to N. of the Bar haul up S.E.

NB Strong Gales cause annual shiftings of the sand on both Bars, which in the course of years alter their form and extend. I have given the form of the Bars as found in 1823. Mariners approaching the Isle are warned to keep the Lead going and never go nearer on South side than 10 fathms.
or North side 25 fathms.
[Above notation written at top middle and top right]

North West Bar
This was all dry in 1811. it is since covered water. Sand Islands
[Above notation written on NW Bar]

NW Bar extends 16 miles and is 2 Miles wide the Land bears SE from it's point. The tide on this Bar sets N. slacks at 1/2 flood and turns S. before high water its rate 2 Knots the Bank to the W and this Bar are travelling to NE Soundings particularly irregular to NW and NNW with very variable currents. The whole of this Bar breaks in bad weather.
[Above notation found below NW Bar on map]

Sable Island
VIII 1/2 rises 7 feet
North Side Variable Currents, mostly Eastward
[Above notation found directly above map of island]

Volcano Haul over Old Harbour Baker's Hill Fresh Water Peak Hill
Sand Cliffs High and High Hills Stark Odder hollow hut Fresh Water
High Sand Cliffs Lake Green Head Salt Water Low Sand Coast
[Above notations found on island]

SOUTH SIDE The Current on this side in shoal water with prevailing S and SW winds sets rapidly Eastwd. until it reaches the end of the NE Bar it then joints the St. Lawrence stream, which passes the Bar in SSW direction and runs strongest in April, May, and June. I have sufficient reason to believe that the Gulf Stream at 42, 30 running E. N.E. occasions the St. Lawrence stream running SSW to glide to Westward. The strength of this stream has never been noticed, and three fourths of the vessels lost have imagined themselves to the Eastward of the Island, when in fact they were in the Longitude of it.
Scale .3 miles to an Inch
[Above notation located below island]

N.E. Bar extends 28 miles and is 2 miles wide the Land bearing W.S.W. The FLOOD TIDE sets NNE 5 knots. the Ebb 3 Knots or less and is scarcely felt with a spell of S and SW winds. In gales of wind the whole Bar will be one line of Breakers, but in mere moderate weather they do not extend beyond 18 miles and a vessel may cross and 24 miles in 7 fathom. This Bar is travelling N.
[Above notation written below NE Bar on map]

To His Excellency Lt. General Sir James Kempt GCB
Lt Governor of Nova Scotia &c&c&c
The Honble. The Members of His Majestys Council
and
the Gentlemen of the House of Assembly
of this Province
By whose Bounty and Benevolence
This most excellent Establishment
is supported and preserved
This chart and Description of
Sable Island
is dedicated with Great Resect
by Their Most Obedient and very Humble Servant
Joseph Darby
[above notation written at lower left of map]

Taken from the Observations of Joseph Darby Master of Schooner Two Brothers and Ten Years in Service of the Island Halifax Nova Scotia Published 8th April 1824 Engraved by C. W. Torbett
[above notation written at lower middle of map]

Table of Reference
A Brig Orion lost in 1811
B Schr. lost belonging to T & L Piers about 1814
CD 2 American Schrs. lost about 1809 & 1810
EF Ship Union & Ship Packet lost about 1802
G Brig Hard Times lost 1811
H HMC Majesty's Frigate L'Africaine lost 1822
{I Brig Harriot lost here Passenger the brave Lieutt. Torrence
{J saved and part of cred. Also Ship Hanna & Eliza 1803
KL 2 Schooners lost in 1807 & 1820
M Ship Princess Amelia lost with Duke of Kents furniture
N A fishing Schr. from France lost 1816
O Brig John & Mary lost here about 1807
P Brig Spring lost about 1808
Q Schr. lost about 1806
R Ship Stark Odder, five men saved out of 70 1804
S Brig lost here about 1810
T Brig Hope 15+ saved out of 160 1823
U Ship Asia beat over here in 1819
V Brig lost here in 1820
W Brig Marshal Wellington lost 1823
X H B Majesty's Packet Frolic beat over in 1823
Y Wreck of Ship Demoscota washed ashore here about 1815
Z HB Majesty's Frigate Barbadoes
ab a Sleep and Schr. under convoy 1812
cd 2 Schooners lost about 1800 & 1806
e Brig Adamant lost 1815
gh 2 American fishermen lost about 1813 & 1814
--------- Track of Schooner Two Brothers going to L'Africaine (the Frigates boats being swamped) 200 persons were thus saved
______ Best Road through the Island
[Above notation located on bottom right of map]

[Note: Numbers, latitudes and elevations not transcribed}