PACIFIC AND BEERING'S STRAIT. 3 



At length a breeze sprung; up, and we entered the 

 port, and dropped our anehor in the spot where Van- 

 couver had moored his ship thirty-three years before. 

 As we passed the entrance, a heavy sea rolHng vio- 

 lently upon a reef of rocks on our left * bespoke the 

 danger of approaching that side too close in light or 

 baffling winds ; while some scattered rocks with deep 

 water round them skirting the shore on our right, 

 marked that side also as dangerous ; so that the en- 

 trance may be justly considered difficult. Beyond 

 these rocks, however, near the fort, there is a bay in 

 which, if necessary, ships may drop their anchor. 



The fort, which we passed upon our right, mounts 

 nine guns, and is built upon a promontory on the 

 south side of the entrance, apparently so near to the 

 precipice, that one side will, before long, be precipi- 

 tated over it by the gradual breaking away of the 

 rock. Its situation, nevertheless, is good, as regards 

 the defence of the entrance ; but it is commanded by 

 a rising ground behind it. As we passed, a soldier 

 protruded a speaking-trumpet through one of the 

 embrasures, and hailed us with a stentorian voice, but 

 we could not distinguish what was said. This custom 

 of hailing vessels has arisen from there being no boat 

 belonging to the garrison, and the inconvenience felt 

 by the governor, in having to wait for a report of 

 arrivals, until the masters of the vessels could send 

 their boats on shore. 



The port of San Francisco does not show itself to 

 advantage until after the fort is passed, when it breaks 

 upon the view, and forcibly impresses the spectator 

 with the magnificence of the harbour. He then be- 



* This reef" lies three quarters ot" a mile from Piinta Boneta. 



ii2 



