lis 



A. E. Verritt — The Bermuda Islands. 



of the larger islands are connected by bridges and the great cause- 

 way, so that one can drive the entire length of the group, which is 

 about 22 miles, following the road. 



There is only one ship-channel bv which vessels of any considera- 

 ble size can pass through the reefs and enter the anchorages of the 

 north side, or the harbor of Hamilton. The harbor of St. George's 

 and Castle Harbor are entered from the south side, but the channels 

 are not deep enough for very large vessels, although the principal 

 one was blasted out, over the bar, to the depth of 10 feet, about 45 

 years ago, and efforts have recently been made to deepen it to 22 or 

 24 feet. 



The main ship-channel through the reefs to the Navy Yard and to 

 Hamilton Harbor is deep enough for the largest naval vessels, but it 

 is narrow and crooked, and although well buoyed, local pilots are 

 required by the passenger steamers, and the passage is not made at 

 night. 



There are two good lighthouses. The largest is the Gibb's Hill 

 Light, near the western end of the main island. It is an iron tower, 

 about 117 feet high, situated on top of a hill 245 feet high, so that 

 the total height is 3G2 feet. (See figure 2.) The powerful light can 



Figure 2.- Gibb's Hill Lighthouse, as seen from the sea, bearing N.E. by North. 



be seen at a distance of about 25 miles, from an elevation of 10 feet. 

 or 30 miles from an elevation of 40 feet. (Plate lxv, fig. 2.) This 

 was required on account of the extremely dangerous outer reefs, that 

 often lie from 8 to 10 miles from the land, to the north and west. 

 The other lighthouse is on St. David's Island, at the eastern eud of 

 the group, and near the main ship-channel. 



It is well known that these islands, which were discovered about 

 1510, by Juan de Bermudez, were greatly dreaded by the early 

 navigators, and were regarded by some of them as the abode of 



