NAUTICAL REMARKS. 437 



islands. Upon Prince George's Island there is said to be 

 water of a bad description ; but the landing is in general very 

 hazardous. 



There are passages between each of these islands. The 

 northern channel requires no particular directions : that to 

 the southward of Prince George's Island is the widest and 

 best ; but care must be taken of a reef lying one thii-d of a 

 mile off its S.W. point, and of a shoal extending a mile and 

 a half off its south-eastern extremity. I did not stand close to 

 the south Maria, but could perceive that there were breakers 

 extending full three quarters of a mile off its S.E. extremity; 

 and I was informed at San Bias that some reefs also extended 

 from two to four miles off its south-western point. There is 

 an islet off the north-west part of this island, appai'ently bold 

 on all sides ; but I cannot say how closely it may be ap- 

 proached. 



From the south channel Piedro de Mer bearsN. 16^ E. true, 

 about forty-five miles. It is advisable to steer to windward 

 of this course, in order that, as the winds, during the period 

 at which it is proper to frequent this coast, blow from the 

 northward, the ship may be well to windward. 



The Piedro de Mer is a white rock, about a hundred and 

 thirty feet high, and a hundred and forty yards in length, 

 with twelve fathoms all round it, and bears from Mount St. 

 Juan N. 770 W. thirty miles. 



Having made Piedro de Mer, pass close to the southward of 

 it, and unless the weather is thick, you will see a similarly 

 shaped rock, named Piedro de Tierra, for which you should 

 steer, taking care not to go to the northward of a line of bear- 

 \n<T between the two, as there is a shoal which stretches to the 

 southward from the mainland. This course will be S. 79^ E. 

 true, and the distance between the two rocks is very nearly ten 

 miles. 



To bring up in the road of San Bias, round the Piedro de 

 Tierra, at a cable's length distance, and anchor in five fathoms, 

 with the low rocky point of the harbour bearing N. ^ E., and 

 the two Piedros in one. This road is very much exposed to 

 winds from S. S.W. to N. N.W., and ships should always be 



