448 A. E. Verrill—The Bermuda Islands. 



works, enlarged and repaired, in 1620, the fort built by Governor 

 Tucker on Paget's Island and called Paget's Port. He made the 

 following criticism of the original structure : — 



"Some 8 or 10 men are appointed to cutt out a plattforme at 

 Pagett's Fort, the which (as the worck itselfe sheweth to this daye, 

 and ever will doe in despight of all amends) proved so unfashion- 

 able, uncapable. and ill layd out, that it is absolutely the most 

 uncerviceable and unsightlest peece in that kind of the whole ilands; 

 and yet by situation and for use, requireinge as much or more pro- 

 tection than any other whatsoever." Elsewhere, he stated that at 

 high tides and in storms it was partly under water. 



Across the harbor from St. George's lies St. David's Island, only 

 accessible by boat. This is a large island, irregular in form, with 

 several hills over one hundred feet high, and with a very broken 

 coast line, enclosing several bays and coves. It is the principal seat 

 of the sea-turtle fishery, which is carried on only in summer, from 

 June to September. 



The turtles are taken by the skillful use of very large and strong 

 seines, eighty to eighty -five fathoms long and about six to seven 

 fathoms wide. About eight boats, with two men in each, engage in 

 this fishery. The number caught here is quite variable, say from 

 fiftv to one hundred and fiftv Green Turtles each season, besides a 

 few Hawksbills. The average weight is, perhaps, about fifty 

 pounds; occasionally one of one hundred and fifty pounds is taken.* 



They are kept temporarily in small ponds built of loose masonry, 

 on the shore, at localities where there is a flow of sea-water through 

 the beach, during ebb-tide, from the outlets of caverns. These are 

 very favorable places for obtaining a constant renewal of the 

 enclosed waters by natural means. The turtles are fed weekly until 

 marketed, on the marine " turtle-grass," (Zosterh) and sometimes on 

 the weed " puslej'" or purslane from the land.f 



A large amount of excellent arrowroot was formerly grown on 

 this island, but it is less extensively cultivated at present. The 

 lighthouse, situated on a hill 138 feet high, affords a wide view of 

 the eastern islands. Xear the lighthouse there is a cavern, opening 

 on the shore cliff. 



A line of several smaller islands forms the southern and south- 

 eastern boundaries of Castle Harbor. Of these, Cooper's Island is 



* Sea turtles of large size originally laid their eggs in the Bermuda beaches, 

 but ceased to do so very soon after the settlement. (See Part III, ch. 31.) 



f For these notes on the present turtle fishery I am indebted to Miss Victoria 

 Hay ward. 



