FIRST VISIT TO THE BAHAMAS 



nesting place of flamingoes which she had heard was situated on Andros. 

 We discussed Andros with our Captain and changed our course to W. x S. 

 After passing Clifton Point, we bore S.W. for twenty miles. This course 

 crosses Tongue of the Ocean, an area about thirty miles wide and extend- 

 ing southeastward for a distance of 120 miles. The soundings marked on 

 the chart are surprising: 800, 939, 1000, 1409, 1600 fathoms; and the area 

 is surrounded by shoals and reefs which drop oif abruptly to these great 

 depths. What a strange appearance it would present if the water was 

 drained off! 



The island of Andros is the largest of the Bahama group. Its length is 

 104 miles; its greatest breadth forty miles, the same size as my native State 

 of Delaware. It is divided near its middle by three waterways known as 

 North Bight, Middle Bight, and South Bight. A line of coral reefs guards 

 the entire length of the Eastern shore, which is high land. The Western 

 shore is marshy, and shallow water extends far out to sea. Vessels cannot 

 approach this shore. The population of the island is 6900 and they all live 

 on the Eastern shore. There are no roads. The inhabitants communicate 

 with one another and with Nassau by boat. Because of the coral reefs, a 

 sharp lookout has to be maintained in approaching any part of the Western 

 shore. We found that the shallow draft of Spindrift was an advantage in 

 crossing these reefs, for most of the "coral heads" plainly visible in these 

 crystal-clear waters were below our depth. It was impossible for me to 

 judge whether these obstacles were deep down or dangerously near the 

 surface, but our experienced navigators ran boldly over some dangerous 

 looking heads and skirted others. This clear water is a fascinating charac- 

 teristic of the Bahamas. Its constant and beautiful changes caused by wind, 

 sun, and cloud can be fully appreciated only by those who cruise among 

 the islands in small boats. Unbelievable shades of blue, green and copper 

 combine with clouds, white beaches, and tropical vegetation with effects 

 that neither pen nor brush can describe. Inside the reefs we bore southward 



l92 



