DISCOVERIES OF CABRILLO AND VIZCAINO II 



the Channel Islands off the present counties of Los 

 Angeles, San Buenaventura, Santa Barbara, Orange, 

 and San Diego, leaving to posterity an account of his 

 travels under the title of "Viaje y descubrimientos 

 hasta el grado 43 de Latitud," to be found in the 

 "Archivio General de Indias," of Spain. 



The Log of Cabrillo has a sentimental interest, and 

 when it is known that the vessels of the time were 

 little more than smacks, and by no means seaworthy, 

 and that part of the coast was waterless and barren 

 in summer, the efforts of all the navigators, and of 

 the good padres who accompanied them, are deserving 

 of the highest recognition and honor. California was 

 discovered only after repeated losses of ships and men, 

 and the "king's highway" of the Pacific is paved 

 alongshore with good Spanish ships, as well as with 

 good Catholic intentions. 



Cabrillo sailed into what is now Avalon Bay, Santa 

 Catalina Island, in September, 1542, four hundred and 

 sixty-seven years ago. His caravels, which were 

 named La Vittoria and San Salvador, cruised about 

 the vicinity for a number of months. Cabrillo dying, 

 he was buried at San Miguel Island, though why he 

 should winter in such a dreary place, when the land- 

 locked harbor of Santa Catalina afforded perfect pro- 

 tection, and San Diego was not far away with a perfect 

 refuge, it is difficult to understand. Cabrillo named 

 San Clemente Island "La Vittoria," and Santa Cata- 

 lina, "San Salvador," after his ships; but these names 

 were forgotten, and the present names were given by 

 Vizcaino many years later. Ferrelo was the pilot of 

 Cabrillo, and Juan Paez is the name found on the Log; 

 hence it is possible that he may have written it. The 



