[Cronos]

But it may have been possible that a Roman ship trading with Britain in the time of Claudius would be blown off-course, but not in 19 B.C. At that time, the Romans stuck to the Mare Nostrum -- the Mediterranean. The only Atlantic crossings were across the Englsih Channel in 50 BC.

[U S Army EOD]

The Canary Islands can be seen from the coast of Africa and are not very far from Gibraltar, entrance to Med. The further west you go you see more islands. Once you get to the most western island you may assume that there should be another one. Go six more miles and you get caught in the Canary Current which sweeps you into the trade winds. If your ship could not sail against the wind, and the Roman ships could not, you end up in Central or South America in about 30 to 40 days or less on that type of ship. There is plenty of rain, plenty of fish and no storms. It is a very easy trip. The problem is you can't get back unless you know about the Gulf Stream and how to find your latitude. My guess is after 30 days at sea without seeing land, if they made the trip, there would be no way to get them back on the boat.

[SunkenCiv]

not in 19 B.C. At that time, the Romans stuck to the Mare Nostrum -- the Mediterranean.

The Roman military, maybe, but Roman-era trade exceeded the military range throughout imperial times. (not a reply to Cronos, because of the lapse of a couple of years or whatever)