GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION. 43 



— when proper precautions are taken, and strong boats used for 

 the purpose. 



The southern coast is generally bluff, and the sea shallow 

 throughout the channel, the depth of water varying from three 

 to twenty-seven fathoms, with excellent bottom. From April to 

 October — during the overflow of the mighty river Orinoco, which 

 discharges part of its waters into the channel — strong currents 

 prevail, bearing westward. Besides the following landing-places, 

 viz. : Moruga, Erin, and Quemada — there is on this coast the 

 small port of Guayaguayare, at the S.E. extremity of the 

 southern coast, between Galeota and Grand Cayo or Pointe 

 Taillee. This latter is a high bluff promontory, forming the 

 western limit of the bay or port of Guayaguayare, whilst Point 

 Galeota forms its eastern boundary. It has a pebbly bar across 

 its entrance, extending from Grand Cayo to Galeota, and is open 

 to the S.S.E. It may, however, be considered a safe harbour, 

 though it cannot admit vessels of above fifty tons, the depth of 

 water being from two to four and a half fathoms only. 



The soundings along the western coast are generally very 

 shallow, with exceptions, however, of considerable depth, in a few 

 places, particularly at Chaguaramas, Carenage, and opposite the 

 village of Cocorite, to the westward of Port-of-Spain ; also at 

 Pointe -a-Pierres and La Brea. Chaguaramas is a land-locked 

 harbour at the N.W. extremity of the island, extending between 

 Current Point and Punta Gorda. The islet of Gasparil, which 

 stretches nearly from Punta Gorda beyond Current Point, con- 

 tributes to its formation and protection on the S. There are two 

 entrances to the Bay of Chaguaramas ; the north-eastern is shel- 

 tered by a small islet called Diego Island ; the western entrance 

 is likewise protected by a rock called Little Gasparil, which 

 divides the same into two channels, the one between Little 

 Gasparil and Gasparil Grande affording a passage for large 

 vessels, and the other for smaller craft only. The port of 

 Chaguaramas is perfectly safe at all times, and the water bold. 

 Separated from Chaguaramas by the small rocky peninsula of 

 Punta Gorda is the port of Carenage, well inclosed and as safe 

 as the former. Captain Columbine has the following remarks on 

 Carenage and Chaguaramas : — 



" The want of a sufficient depth of water in the Carenage 

 renders it useless for men-of-war. 



