2v2 TRAVELS IN THE CONFEDERATION 



plant which grows on the rocky shores of this island, 

 and is said to serve as food for the turtles. This plant 

 is called here Samphire (Batis maritima L.f). Tur- 

 tles are found of an amazing- size ; I have seen some of 

 800 pounds and more. On Providence they form a 

 substitute for fresh butcher's meat, which is every- 

 where a great rarity here. Some of them are killed 

 every day, and sold by the pound weight at a very 

 moderate price. 



Hunting out wrecked ships is finally one of the 

 most important trades of the Bahama islanders. Navi- 

 gation through the Gulf as well as among the islands 

 is very intricate and perilous on account of the numer- 

 ous hidden ledges and strong currents, and all manner 

 of vessels are continually meeting with disaster in this 

 region. Is a ship by any chance brought among the 

 Bahama islands and rocks, it is only by great good 

 fortune and skill that it can be got out again ; one 

 unfamiliar with the region need not flatter himself 

 that he can compass it. The vessels engaged in this 

 so-called ' wracking ' * are but small ; they remain out 

 many weeks, and examine every quarter where they 

 may hope to find lost ships, especially if shortly before 

 heavy storms have raged thereabouts. Each vessel 

 going out on such an enterprize must be furnished 

 with a pass from the Governor, in which he reserves 

 for himself and the king the customary fifth and tenth 

 part of the find. A part of the salary of the Governor 

 comes from these duties ; but they are seldom rightly 

 settled, because the undertakers pay in the fixed pro- 



* Some call it ' going a raking ' from ' to rake,' searching 

 for something with diligence and care ; others, ' going a 

 wracking,' from ' wrack,' a foundered ship. 



