690 SUPPLEMENTARY REMARKS ON WINDS, ETC. 



The NEWFOUNDLAND BANKS, which were originally, in their 

 fisheries, the source of all the opulence in the island of Newfoundland, are 

 vast submarine elevations, of various depths and very unequal figures. 

 The depths on the Great Bank vary from 15 to 80 fathoms ; the quality 

 of the bottom varies considerably, but it generally consists of sand, or 

 sand mixed with shells and gravel, rarely with stones. The eastern face 

 of the bank is clear sand, white or whitish, and often sparkling. In the 

 gullies and deeps which separate the banks, and more particularly in the 

 Whale Deep or Trou de la Baleine, the bottom is found to consist of mud 

 or oaze with a foetid smell, and abounds with different sorts of fish, but 

 more particularly cod, which is inconceivably numerous ; for, although 

 from 200 to 400 vessels have been annually freighted with this article of 

 commerce for upwards of two centuries, there appears to be no sensible 

 decrease of the former plenty. A great swell and thick fog usually 

 indicate the position of the bank. 



There are generally, in the spring, within 350 or 400 mUes of the land, 

 and between the Outer and Grand Banks, numerous Icebergs, or ice- 

 islands, which float down with the current from the north-west, and which, 

 during foggy weather, are very dangerous. In the months of June, July, 

 and August, there are frequently a number of them, some of which may 

 be seen aground, in 40 or 50 fathoms of water. In thick weather, their 

 position may commonly be distinguished by the ice-blink, a brightness of 

 the sky above them ; or by the breaking of the sea against them, which 

 may also be heard at a considerable distance ; or by the decrease of the 

 temperature of the water. (See Section on Ice, pages 441 — 454). 



Virgin Rocks. — On approaching toward Cape Eace, the S.E. point of 

 Newfoundland, be careful to avoid Virgin Eocks, a dangerous reef, lying 

 87 miles S.E. ^ E. from that cape. In gales of wind a heavy sea breaks 

 over them; and a strong current, which sets about them, often increases 

 the danger. The bank, on which the shoal stands, extends N.N.E. and 

 S.S.W,, 7 miles, being If mile across in its broadest part. The soundings 

 are regular, from 28 to 30 fathoms, but deepen suddenly on the outer edge 

 to 39 and 43 fathoms. 



The Mam Ledge, or the rocks themselves, is in lat. 46" 26' 57" N., long. 

 50^ 47' 40" W. They extend in an irregular chain, S.W. by W. and 

 N.E. by E., 800 yards, varying from 200 to 300 yards in breadth. The 

 least depth of water is 3 fathoms, on a white rock, with 5 to 6^ fathoms 

 around it, the bottom distinctly visible. Nearly 1 cable N.N.E of this 

 is a 4-fathoms rock, and at 2^ cables W. by S. from the 3-fathoms rock is 

 one of 5^ fathoms. Between these three rocks the depths are from 8 

 to 10 fathoms. 



South Shoal, 1^ mile S. by W. from the Main Ledge, though with 

 deeper water, is reported by the fishermen to be more dangerous than the 

 Main Ledge, the mass of uneven ground causing the sea to rise more 

 readily, and break more heavily, than on the small pinnacles described 

 above. The shoalest water found was 4f fathoms, and two other rocks, 

 with 5 fathoms water over them, bear N.N.W. from this rock, the farthest 

 being distant 1^ cable. The bank occupies a space 6 cables long and 3^ 

 cables wide, with denths less than 20 fathoms. 



