A. E. Verrill — The Bermuda Islands. 



53 7 



The drawing was very likely made by Mr. Richard Norwood for 

 this purpose, for lie was a man of good ability as a draughtsman, 

 and was making his first survey in 1616. The scene evidently com- 

 memorates the wreck of the French vessel, the " Bonaventura," on 

 the 17th of Nov., 1593, on board of which was the English seaman, 

 Henry May, who published after his escape to England, in 1594, an 

 account of his experiences. 



A comparison of several photographs, taken at various times within 

 the past thirty years, shows but little alteration in these North Rocks, 

 but some severe storm may suddenly overthrow them. They are 

 situated near the extreme edge of the outer reefs, about eight miles 

 from the islands, and stand on an extensive patch of flat reef, part 

 of which is laid bare by low tides. (Fig. 30.) They are 8 to 144 



Figure 30.— North Rocks, bearing N. 80° W. ; height of highest point ll 1 ^ feet, 

 above low-tide. From a photograph taken by Mr. J. B. Heyl, Dec. 27, 1875. 



feet high and evidently are the remains of an island of considerable 

 height and extent that has been nearly worn away to the sea-level 

 by erosion. The evidence from the ancient seal indicates that the 

 erosion even in this exposed situation has not been rapid, though 

 these rocks seem to have decreased somewhat in height. 



b. — Shipwreck of the Sea Venture, 1600. 



But another remarkable shipwreck, which occurred there in 1609, 

 attracted far more attention, and led to the settlement of the islands 

 in 1(512. 



