18 VIEW OF THE TOWN, AND PEAK. 
mined to tack, in order to run into Santa Cruz, 
the only place in the island where ships can lie 
at anchor. 
The night was stormy, and the high land oe- 
casioned violent gusts of wind from various di- 
rections. Towards morning the weather improv- 
ed, but we found that the current had carried 
us twenty miles to the south-east.* These strong 
currents are common here in all seasons, and, to 
vessels not aware of them, may in dark nights 
produce injurious consequences. Having now 
passed the northern promontory, we steered 
southward for the roads of Santa Cruz. The 
shore here, consisting of high, steep masses of 
lava, presents a picturesque but desolate and 
sterile landscape, amidst which the eye seeks in 
vain for some spot capable of producing the rich 
wine of Teneriffe. Upon a point of rock about 
a thousand feet above the level of the sea, we 
saw a telegraph in full activity, probably an- 
nouncing our arrival. The town next came in 
sight, and with its numerous churches, con- 
* Namely English miles, of which sixty go to a degree, 
and four to a German mile. Whenever, in this Voyage, 
miles are mentioned, English miles are to be understood. 
