274: SOUTH-WEST FLORIDA. 



passes referred to is thirty-eight miles. At noon the 

 wind died away, and we were compelled to resort to an 

 ashen breeze. Wednesday morning at daylight, we 

 sighted Little Gasparilla Pass. At low tide the pass is 

 about 150 feet wide, with two entrances, one leading in 

 from the south, and the other a swash channel which 

 hugs the north point. We chose the latter, and at 

 sunrise we anchored inside the pass, discharged the pilot, 

 and captured a mess of sheepshead for breakfast. After 

 breakfast we got under weigh for our objective point, 

 Lake Okeechobee. Possessing no knowledge of the 

 route to be traversed, and anticipating difficulties during 

 the journey, we resolved upon pushing ahead, and on 

 our return make a careful examination of bays, rivers, 

 and keys. 



From Little Gasparilla to Great Gasparilla passes, 

 the distance is about two and a quarter miles. To keep 

 in the channel the island must be kept close aboard. 

 When Great Gasparilla Pass opens, the traveller must 

 follow the channel as though he intended proceeding to 

 sea, and at the southern point of Little Gasparilla 

 Key he will sight a channel tending in an east-south 

 east course, which must be followed to clear a long and 

 extensive sand-bar, extending from the northerly point 

 of Great Gasparilla Key. Rounding the point of the sand 

 bar, a channel with six to nine feet of water will be found, 

 leading in a north-easterly direction, which must be fol 

 lowed. Three miles from the pass (Great Gasparilla), an 

 island will be approached, and this must be left about 

 100 yards to port. From this island a course south by 

 east must be steered to within 200 yards of the inner 

 portion of northern point of Lacosta Island. Having 

 crossed Boca Grande entrance, and reached the point 



