14 EEPOET OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [12] 



00" W., we sounded in the positiou assigued to breakers reported in 

 1870 by H. D. M. S. Aiieoiia, aud found bottom at 2,708 fathoms. At 

 12.51 a. m. tbe following day we sounded in latitude 12° 10' 30" N., 

 longitude 06° 11' 00" W., in tbe positiou assigned to a " vigia," reported 

 in 1803, and found bottom at 2,707 ftithoms. An intermediate sounding 

 between the two reported dangers gave 2,814 fathoms. The positions 

 of the above soundings were determined by astronomical observations 

 during clear weather. A lookout was kept at the mast-head in daytime 

 and an extra lookout at night, Avhich, by the way, was bright moon- 

 light, but there was no sign of shoal water discovered, and, whatever 

 may be the origin of the breakers reported, they cannot be attributed 

 to that cause. A possible solution may be found in the fact that strong 

 currents prevail in this locality, aud tide rips or even overfalls might be 

 found under certain conditions. 



The bottom has been generally yellow ooze, very rich in foraminifera, 

 but the deep soundings of the 8th developed a yellow^ or brown clay 

 almost wholly devoid of organic matter. After completing the sound- 

 ings above-mentioned we started ahead, S. by W. (mag.), to pass between 

 Orchilla and Los Itoques. A sounding was taken at 3.30 a. m. and 

 another at 6.20 a. m., latitude 11° 40' 00" W., longitude 00° IC 50" W., 

 the west end of Orchilla Island bearing east C. The above is an astro- 

 nomical position, and shows both Onihilla and Los Koques to be placed 

 about 4' too far west on H. O. chart No. 40. 



From the last position we ran S. by W. f VV. (mag.), sounding every 

 15', until reaching the mainland about 10' to the eastward of La Guayra, 

 then NW. by W. ^ W. (mag.) for Curasao, sounding as before. The 

 water shoaled gradually from 774 fathoms C west of Orchilla, to 135 

 fathoms within 5' of the mainland, increasing to 1,040 fathoms 56' NW. 

 (mag.) from La Guayra, and shoaling again as we approached Ouragao. 

 The latter port aud islands to the eastward are also about 4' too far west on 

 H. O. chart No. 40. The soundings were continued to a jioint 600 yards 

 south of the entrance, where 74 fjithoms was found. While in the act 

 of sounding we were boarded by the harbor-master, who acted as pilot, 

 and at 3.05 p. m., February 10, we anchored in the Schottegat, in 10^ 

 fathoms, near the U. S. S. Vandalia. Boarding officers visited the ship 

 from the Vandalia and the Alkmaar, a Dutch station-ship, with offers of 

 assistance aud tendering the usual civilities of the port. 



The trade-winds were brisk to fresh in the vicinity of St. Thomas, 

 with heavy swell, both wind and sea moderating as Ave went to the 

 southward. Moderate to gentle winds were experienced after leaving 

 Aves Island. Eain squalls were of frequent occurrence *from St. 

 Thomas to Trinidad and for two days after our arrival in that port. 

 After that, for a while we had but few light showers. 



The currents of the Caribbean north of latitude 13° N. we found thus 

 far to trend to the southward of west about 1' per hour, somewhat 

 stronger near St. Thomas and Porto Rico, and weaker towards the 



