NO. 1 GEOGRAPHICAL ACCOUNT AND STATION RECORDS 11 



of the bay. The entire bay lies within the 10-fathom curve, with anchorage 

 in 5-10 fathoms, green mud, over most of its area. The Velero III 

 anchored just inside the 5-fathom curve, ^ mile off the end of the wharf 

 and a mile offshore. 



A railroad and highway connect Puerto Colombia with Barranquilla, 

 about 10 miles distant. Perhaps the greater part of the trade of the inland 

 city passes through this port, which maintains steamship connections with 

 Cristobal, New Orleans, New York, and Europe. 



No collecting was attempted by the Velero III in the vicinity of 

 Puerto Colombia, the stop serving merely to take on a pilot for the ascent 

 of the Magdalena River, as required by law. 



Magdalena River 



The entrance to the Magdalena River, called Boca de Ceniza, is 

 located about 3 miles eaft of Cabo Augusta and is ^^ mile wide. A depth 

 of 33 feet (S^^ fathoms) at the entrance is shown on the chart, but the 

 bottom is constantly shifting, on account of the changing force of the river 

 and the amount of accumulated debris carried down. The speed of the 

 current, normally 2 knots, may approach 6 during flood season. May to 

 October. The muddy waters of the Magdalena discolor the sea for dis- 

 tances up to 60 miles offshore. Where the brown water meets the green of 

 the Caribbean a millrace occurs, which is dangerous to small boats and 

 uncomfortable to passengers in larger vessels. Pilotage is compulsory, the 

 pilot coming aboard at Puerto Colombia. East and west breakwaters 

 extend J^ mile out into the sea at the river's mouth. The east breakwater 

 ends at Pta. Faro, but the west breakwater extends a good 4 miles up the 

 river past the cienagas de Cantagallo and Mallorquin. Las Flores, 5 

 miles up the river and opposite Isla Nueva, is the terminus of a railroad 

 from Puerto Colombia and the point at which customs and quarantine 

 officials board incoming vessels. 



The city of Barranquilla is located on the Magdalena River about 7 

 miles from its mouth. It has a population of 147,000 and is the principal 

 port of Colombia, serving the entire Magdalena River basin. The Mag- 

 dalena is navigable 587 miles to Girardot, whence a railroad may be taken 

 to Bogota, the capital. The trip made in river steamers requires a week or 

 more, although 3 or 4 days suffice for the return. By plane the time is cut 

 to 23^ hours. The principal crop of Colombia is a mild coffee, greatly 

 prized in world markets. New and modern docking facilities are located 

 opposite the city of Barranquilla and are connected with it by a road 

 leading across a swamp. 



