Narrative of Bahama Expedition. 47 



miles, giving a total area of something like twelve hundred 

 square miles. The depth of water over this area varies from 

 one to ten fathoms. All of our soundings on the "Banks" 

 indicated a greater depth than was given by the chart, but our 

 soundings were not extensive enough to be of much perma- 

 nent value. On account of the shallow water, there is rarely 

 a very high sea running, and as good anchorage can be found 

 anywhere on the Banks, captains consider them the safest 

 place in case of severe storms, although the numerous rocks 

 and shoals in some parts are anything but reassuring to the 

 navigator. The bottom is sandy, the sand being composed 

 largely of triturated shells and corals, covered in patches with 

 algje of various kinds, and a " grass " which grows in tufts 

 and has long lanceolate leaves very much like certain swamp 

 grasses in the north. 



The color of the water on the Banks is usually a clear light 

 green, varied by dark purplish blotches, marking the presence 

 of algai or gorgonians. I have often noticed that wherever 

 this green water prevails in the Bahamas, the clouds take on 

 a rich purple hue. What causes this curious coloration of the 

 clouds is not known to me, but the fact is striking enough to 

 attract the attention of even the least observant persons. 



It was while anchored on the Banks that we first saw 

 the Southern Cross, which we had not expected to be visible 

 at this latitude. Truth compels the remark that this cele- 

 brated constellation is not so striking an object as many sup- 

 pose. In fact, a number of northern star groups far surpass 

 it in splendor. 



During the next three days the prevailing wind was so 

 nearly dead ahead that our progress was necessarily slow, and 

 we decided to take advantage of the opportunity afforded by 

 the shallow water of the Banks to secure some practice in 

 the use of our dredging equipment, so that the deep water 

 should not find us actual novices at the business. The dredg- 

 ing spar was therefore stepped to the foremast above the 

 galle}^ and the men assigned to the positions which they 

 were to occupy during the trip while dredging. A certain 



