488 A, FE. Verrill—The Bermuda Islands. 
They are known only to a few of the pilots, and from that 
cause but seldom used, although it is said that the North-eastern 
channel is one of the best through the edge of the reef. Fig. 26, XI. 
The North-eastern channel is narrow and intricate at its entrance ; 
the general depth is 6, 7, and 8 fathoms ; but in one spot but 5. At 
53 miles in the direct line from the entrance, toward Murray Anchor- 
age, there lies a cluster of rocks, which renders a circuit to the westward 
advisable. The mark for clearing the West end of these, the Three 
Hilt Shoals, is Painter’s Hill, over a hill on the western side of the 
Ferry at St. George’s Island, bearing 8.8S.E. There is also a channel 
through the shoals, which is more direct, the mark for which is 
Painter’s Hill in the hollow or saddle of two hills (hence their 
name), at the West end of St. George’s Island, bearing 8. 4 E. As 
soon as the shoals are cleared in either case, which will be when 34 
miles from the shore, you can bear round to the S.E. to Murray 
Anchorage, this part of the reef being clear. (Fig. 26, L) 
The next is the Blue Cut, on the western side of the reef, but can 
be used only by small vessels. It is exceedingly narrow and intri- 
cate, and has only 8 feet water in places. Its direction is to the 
Kast of South. (Fig. 26, X.) 
The Chub Cut is the next channel southward ; this is also narrow 
and dangerous. It leads southerly to Wreck Hill, or first southerly 
and then easterly to Ireland Island. (Fig. 26, TX.) 
Hog Fish Cut lies at the south-western angle of the islands. For 
half a mile in a north-easterly direction it lies through numerous 
rocky shoals, and then turns to the N.W. It leads to Ireland Island 
and to Elies Harbour.* (Fig. 26, VIIL) | 
The Hog Fish Cut, which has recently been examined with a 
view to its improvement, is the most convenient at the West end of 
the islands, particularly in the winter season, when the winds prevail 
at N.W., and the danger of being.at sea and about the islands is the 
greatest. 
the shallow reefs, indicated by shading and crosses. Whether marked natural 
changes have occurred since 1870, I cannot say, but it seems very doubtful. 
Perhaps it was not deemed expedient to indicate these channels, as they actually 
exist, owing to their intricacy and dangers, or for strategic reasons. That such 
channels are generally filling up with mud at the bottom, and by the growth of 
the corals on the sides is very certain, but such changes are so slow that in a 
period of 30 or 40 years we should not expect them to be very evident. The 
Northwest channel is not indicated on fig. 26. 
* Klies Harbor was named for Mr. William Eli, who was settled on its shore in 
1621. The name is sometimes erroneously written ‘‘ Ellis.” 
