64 VOYAGE TO THE 



possesses almost all the requisites for a great naval 

 establishment, and is so advantageously situated with 

 regard to North America and China, and the Pacific 

 in general, that it will, no doubt, at some future time, 

 be of great importance. We completed the examina- 

 tion of those parts of the harbour which were likely 

 to be frequented by vessels for some years to come, in 

 which it is proper to mention, in order to give as 

 much publicity to the circumstance as possible, that 

 we discovered a rock between Alcatrasses and Yerba 

 Buena Islands, dangerous to both shipping and boats, 

 in consequence of its rising suddenly from about seven 

 fathoms, so near to the surface as to occasion strong 

 overfalls with the tides. A shoal was also found to 

 the eastward of the landing-place off the presidio, 

 which ought to be avoided by boats sailing along 

 shore. In my nautical remarks, I have given di- 

 rections for avoiding both these dangers, which are 

 the only hidden ones in that part of the harbour, 

 which is at present frequented. 



On the 28th we took leave of our hospitable and 

 affable friends, Martinez and Padre Tomaso, full of 

 2:ratitude for their kindness and attention to our 

 wants ; weighed anchor, and bade adieu to the Port of 

 San Francisco, in which we had all received material 

 benefit from the salubrity of its climate, the refreshing 

 product of its soil, and the healthy exercise we had 

 enjoyed there. In the ship's company, in particular, 

 there was the most apparent amendment ; some of 

 them, from being so emaciated on their arrival that 

 the surgeon could scarcely recognize them, were now 

 restored to their former healthy appearance, and we 

 had the satisfaction of sailing without a single case of 

 sickness on board. We had to regret during our stay 



