542 A. E. Verrill — The Bermuda Islands. 



her a breakwater of "100 loads of stone" to protect her from 

 the seas. As soon as launched the} r took her unrigged to the lee 

 of a " little round Hand, lying west North-west, and close aboard 

 to the backside of our Hand," for shelter, and to be handy to the 

 pits that they had dug to collect fresh water, and also for greater 

 convenience in sailing away. This was probably at the site of St. 

 George's, for he speaks of this place, as distinguished from their 

 " old quarters," on the other side of the island. 



These water-pits are often mentioned by later writers. The 

 " little round island " was probably Ordnance Island, as it is now 

 called, which lies close to the docks of St. George's, and thus on the 

 '•'backside" of their island as they were in the habit of viewing it. 



There can scarcely be a doubt that the bay or cove still called 

 Buildings Bay was the actual place where they built their larger 

 vessel, for a memorial tablet was set up there, which was preserved 

 for many years afterwards. It stated in Latin, that a ship of 70 

 tons was built at that place, by Mr. Frobisher, in 1610. Moreover, 

 some of the shipwrecked party afterwards settled in Bermuda, so 

 that the local traditions were continuously handed down. 



This small bay or cove lies open to the north and northeast, so 

 that a strong north or northwest wind would evidently cause large 

 seas to enter it. 



It seems strange, at first thought, that they did not build it on the 

 harbor side of St. George's, but Ave must remember that at first the 

 channels were unknown and the island was densely wooded, and 

 they probably preferred to live on the outer coast, the better to keep 

 a lookout for vessels. It is also stated that they kept great fires 

 continually burning, probably as a signal to any vessel that might 

 approach the islands. 



Before sailing away Governor Gates erected a memorial tablet and 

 ctoss, as seems to have been the custom in those days, to indicate a 

 claim on the islands, for his king and country. 



Strachy described it as follows : 



" Our Governour set up in Sir George Summers' Garden a faire 

 Mnemosynon in figure of a Crosse, made of some of the timber of 

 our ruined shippe, which was scrued in with strong and great trun- 

 nels to a mightie Cedar, which grew in the middest of the said 

 Garden, and whose top and upper branches he caused to be lopped, 

 that the violence of the winde and weather might have the lesse 

 power over her. 



In the middest of the Crosse, our Governour fastened the Picture 



