R. H. SCIIOMBURGK. 23 



correct, but thought that some other cause must 

 also operate in the frequent shipwrecks. Having 

 previously assisted in surveying, he applied him- 

 self to gain a more complete knowledge of astro- 

 nomical instruments, and having made the ac- 

 quaintance of the captain, at that time commanding 

 the artillery in the Danish island of St. Thomas, 

 and of the harbour- master, in whom he found 

 well-instructed men, he procured some of the most 

 necessary instruments from their valuable collec- 

 tions and returned to Anegada. Here, for three 

 months, at his own expense, and unassisted by a 

 scientific companion, he executed the survey of 

 that island and its reefs, and ascertained the ex- 

 istence of a strong current, by which the vessels 

 bound from Europe and America to the Virgin 

 Islands were carried further N. N. W. than they 

 were aware of. * IMany of the inhabitants of Ane- 

 gada, who made their livelihood at the cost of 

 the unfortunate vessels which stranded on their 

 reefs, and who shared in all the evil propensities 

 of wreckers, put every obstacle in Mr. Schomburgk's 

 way to prevent the execution of his survey; and 

 one of them went even so far as to rush with a 

 drawn knife upon him to take his life, an attempt 

 which very likely would have been successful, had 

 it not been for the interference of byestanders. The 

 execution of justice was at that time so restricted 

 in those islands, that although the individual was 



* Journal of the Royal Geographical Society of London, 

 vol. ii. p. 166, vol. V. p. 23. 



