GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION. 73 



defence. On the south side there is a cove large enough for 

 the purpose of repairing and heaving down a ship of the line, 

 where store-houses to any extent might be erected, covered 

 from the view, though not from the shells, of a besieging 

 enemy. With respect to the security of our fleet, the only 

 place, in my opinion, capable of affording it, is the south side 

 of this island. Westward from the above cove the shore is 

 quite bold, and it should be proper to anchor close to it, in order 

 to cover the ships from hot shots, which the enemy might throw 

 from the outer point of Diego's Isle, a spot which he would 

 occupy with that intent, unless we had works on Chaguaramas 

 heights." 



In addition to these two lesser ports, the Gulf of Paria forms 

 one extensive harbour, in which vessels may anchor, from 

 three to twenty fathoms, on a bottom of gravel and mud ; in fact, 

 vessels coming to Port of Spain very often run into the soft mud 

 in order to gain a nearer approach to the wharves. Captain 

 Columbine again remarks regarding Port of Spain : " The water 

 in the road of Port of Spain is very shallow ; a mile and a half off 

 there are only three fathoms ; it is extremely foul and muddy 

 there, and near the shore it is proportionally more filthy. The 

 course of the tides both ebb and flood, being checked by an op- 

 posite shore, in the corner where the town stands, they naturally 

 must deposit there much of the mud which they carry along with 

 them : the obvious result is that, in process of time, Port of Spain 

 will be an inland town ; this operation of nature appears to be 

 going on fast, and to be without remedy." 



The Gulf of Paria may be considered as a sort of salt lake, 

 being shut in, on the eastward, by the island of Trinidad, which 

 thereby breaks the roll of the Atlantic ; on the westward, by the 

 adjoining part of the province of Cumana ; on the northward, by 

 the Peninsula of Paria, the north-western angle of Trinidad, and 

 a few intervening islets ; on the southward by the corresponding 

 portion of the Delta of the Orinoco, the south-western angle of 

 Trinidad, and some interposed rocks. Passages are formed on 

 the N. and S. between the islets ; also between the latter and 

 Trinidad, at one extremity, and Venezuela at the other. The 

 northern passages are known as the Bocas del Dragonor, the 

 Dragon's Mouths ; the southern, as the Bocas de la Sierpe, or 

 the Serpent's Mouths. 



