GAMBIA

GAMBIA, an important river of Western Africa, flowing westward through Senegambia, and falling into the ocean at Bathurst, in N. Lat. 13. 30., W. Long. 16. 40. Its sources have never been explored by Europeans, but it has been ascertained to take its rise among the lofty range of mountains which form the eastern front of Fouta falls, and is estimated to have a course of upwards of 1000 miles. It is about 9 miles in width at its mouth, between Cape St Mary on the S. and the Bird's Island on the N. It is navigable for vessels of 300 tons for 60 leagues, and for smaller vessels to the falls of Barraconda 250 leagues from its mouth. In the beginning of 1851 Governor Macdonnell

Gambling. proceeded with a party, in open boats accompanied by a canoe, 160 miles above Barraconda. He says, "We passed a long way beyond the Nyarico, a river which flows into the Gambia from the northward, and is mentioned by me in a former report. Near it I was waited on by the inhabitants of a town called Jallacoota, who expressed a strong desire that some of our traders would penetrate to their country, as they had more corn and ground nuts than they could use, but had no means of bartering them for goods which they wanted. We did not find near the banks of the river any, or at least but few, signs of cultivation or inhabitants. Nevertheless, apart from the possibility of extending our commerce, the mere geographical question of the direction and extent of the course of the Gambia is one replete with interest, and which I hope may ere long be set at rest. It does not appear that much expense or danger would attend such an expedition if undertaken at the proper season, viz., the end of December or beginning of January. I and my party bivouacked fifteen nights in the woods after leaving the 'Dover,' and returned in perfect health. The abundance of game to be found in the country would ensure provisions, the carriage of which is in all such undertakings a great difficulty."

The British colony of Gambia consists of several trading stations on this river, and in 1851 contained 5693 inhabitants, as follow:—

St Mary's Island lies at the mouth of the river, on the S. side, close to the continent, and is about 15 miles in length from N. to S., but of very inconsiderable breadth. The surface is a slightly elevated plain. The soil is sandy, with a small admixture of loam. Bathurst Town stands on the E. side of the island, about 12 or 14 feet above high-water mark, and is nearly surrounded on three sides by a tolerably deep and rapid river. A public hospital, church, courthouse, and public offices, are in course of construction, or have lately been finished.

McCarthy's Island is generally said to be about 250 or 300 miles above St Mary's, and according to the Admiralty charts it is 235 miles above Bathurst, but Dr Madden says it is not more than 175 miles above it. It is about 5½ miles in length, by 1 in breadth. Like St Mary's, it is but little raised above the river, and both are in a great measure covered with water during the rainy season.

In 1852 the total value of the exports from this colony was £217,856; of imports, £110,174. The chief exports are ground nuts, wax, hides, ivory, timber, gold dust, palm-oil, gum-arabic, and bees' wax.