The description of the River Gambra by Richard Jobson

THIS River, whereof I now take in hand, (by Gods grace) to write, is scituate in the latitude of 13 degrees

and1/2, by all or the most part of Mappes and Cardes, and by some called, by the name of Gambia, by others

Gamba, and by another sort set down Gambra, to which latter name being most frequent, I doe apply my selfe,

for by the naturall inhabitants, either belowe in the mouth of it, neither it above to the farthest I have travelled,

being upon the truest accompt I could keepe, some 320 leagues, or 960 miles, could I ever heare any proper

name, but only the word Gee, which in their language, they use to all rivers, and waters: It hath one sole

entrance, which in the very mouth, is about some 4 leagues broad, and in the channel 3 fadome water, at the

least, without any barre, contrary to the setting of it formerly forth, where it is generally noted to have a barre,

and much sholer water than we have found: After we are run some 4 leagues in, it doth spread it selfe, into so

many rivers, bayes, and creeks, that for the space of some 30 leagues, unto a Towne called Tauckro valley, it is so

intricate, that many months might be spent to search each particuler within that limit; but for that my occasion

of writing, is grounded upon the great hopes, and expectations, that are from above I entend not to make any

stay there, but refer what is to be sayd, until I speake of the inhabitants,only, as I proceed to let you know, that

the maine channell, is not to be mistaken, except within the limit aforesayde, and then also thorough great

neglect, or rather some wilfull ignorance.

Thus with a faire streame, this brave river shooteth in flowing from his mouth, into the land, neare upon

200 leagues, unto a Towne called Baraconda, or some little above, & that is the uttermost bounds of his flowing,

even in the lowest season of the yeare: For as in all rivers, running into the sea, the increase of the inland

waters, occasioned by raines, or snowes, doe abate of the seas in draught; so much more, in this great River,

who swels upright 30 foote, observing one due time, and season of the yeare for ever, must the seas force in

those swelling times, be mightely driven backe, whereby a certaine knowledge is attaind, which are the setled

times, to be followed earnestly, to meete with no impediment, in passing up, which impediment, is onely want

of water to passe over flats, which in the lowest season of the yeare, in certaine places, are met withall, as is

commonly seene, in all rivers, of such mightly inlets, which bankes as it were being past, presently a faire

passable River continues, for many leagues; and as we expect our seasons of Winter, and Sommer, so do these

inhabitants these times of floods, occasioned by aboundance of raine, which raines alwayes proceed forth of

the South-east, and have their beginnings, much sooner in the inland, then at the Rivers mouth, so as in those

parts, where we have had aboade, they begin to fall in the latter end of May, and at the Rivers mouth, not untill

the end of Iune: These raines continue very violent, for three moneths, comming downe with great winds, and

very much thunder, and lightning, not perpetually, but as we say, in suddaine gustes, and stormes, the

violence whereof being overpassed, the people continue their labour, as where I write of their manner of

Tillage, is more largely set downe, as also a more free discription of these contagious times: The increase of the

River likewise, in the beginning of the yeare, before any raine is seene to fall where we aboade, did make it

propable, that raine was fallen, within the land, before we tasted any, all which affirmes the great inlet of this

hopefull River, and gives an assurance, that it is passable, if times and seasons be observed, and with

dilligence followed, with boates, and vessels fitted accordingly, as experience in travelling it already so farre,

may some wayes warrant a sufficient director.