ST. HELENA 135 



the centre part of which lies about two miles to the south 

 west and is composed of rocks and sand. Its soundings 

 are from forty to sixty fathoms and only useful for fishing 

 in calm weather. About one and a half miles from land is 

 Sperie Ledge, over which there are four fathoms of water. 

 Here the sea breaks at times with great violence. 



Barn Ledge lies about one mile off Turk's Cap. The 

 soundings here run from four to twelve fathoms ; the sea 

 here breaks also with violence. 



There is another bank to leeward about a mile distant, 

 where the soundings are from forty-three to forty-eight 

 fathoms. 



Forts were placed on the different points of the island, 

 and in the old days were well fortified. We read before the 

 arrival here of Napoleon " these are well fortified by fleur 

 d'eau batteries provided with furnaces for heating shot 

 and flanked by cannon placed upon the cliffs far above the 

 reach of ships' guns. Mortars and howitzers for showering 

 grape upon ships' decks or upon boats attempting to land 

 are also provided." The dismantled forts remain, and at 

 Bankses is still one of the iron furnaces used for heating 

 shot. Munden's Battery is now well fortified, as are also 

 Ladder Hill and High Knoll. 



The island is io miles long by 6f broad and lies inlat. S. 15 55'. 

 Long. W. 5 46'. It contains forty-seven square miles. 



Its distance from the west coast of Africa is 1,200 miles. 



South America . . 1,800 



Tristan d'Acunha . . 1,200 

 the Isle of Ascension . 700 

 England . . 4,400 



Cape of Good Hope . 1,750 



The surface is very diversified, and distinctly of volcanic 

 origin, having no trace of continental land nearer than 

 1,200 miles, and possessing plants, insects, birds and shells 

 found nowhere else. 



A mountainous ridge, varying in height to upwards of 

 3,000 feet, crosses the island from S.E. to S.W., dividing it 

 distinctly into two parts, the slopes leading from it being 

 the most fertile spots, and, forming the chief and richest 

 pasture lands, present a very marked contrast to the barren 

 rugged rocks surrounding them. The majesty of one part, 



