72 TRINIDAD. 



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 long 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 Chagua- 

 ramas 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 Chagua- 

 ramas : 



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

 renders it useless for men-of-war. 



" The harbour of Chaguaramas is very spacious ; but, in 

 case the enemy should have such temporary superiority by sea 

 as to enable him to attack this island, our ships could not be 

 protected here, as the mountainous nature of the country could 

 afford him many points from whence he might easily destroy 

 them. 



" The situation which presents itself as the most proper to 

 place naval magazines, with the probability of their being effec- 

 tually defended, without any extensive works, is the island of 

 Gasparil Grande. It has two principal hills, one to the east 

 end, the other near the middle, affording powerful means of 



