604 SCATTERED ROCKS, SHOALS, AND VIGIAS. 



H.M.S. Challenger obtained a sounding of 1,000 fathoms, 30 mUea N. by W. of 

 the position assigned to this danger, and another of 2,500 fathoms at 50 miles to 

 the W.S.W. 



In connection with this, we may mention : — Dario Rock, reported to have been 

 seen by the captain of the Spanish brig Dario, on April 25th, 1834, in lat. 

 37° 12^' N., long. 9° 31' W. Ugarie Shoal, reported by Tomas Ugarte, of the 

 Spanish lugger Joven Enrique, April 14th, 1832 ; va. latitude 36° 38' N., longitude 

 11° 21' 38" W., he saw bottom of sand, with occasional black patches, and got 

 soundings in 3 to 3^ fathoms. He also saw breakers, and estimated the shoal to 

 be about 1 mile in diameter. Garcia Guerra Rock, in lat. 36° 36^' N., long. 

 10° 51^' W., on which the Spanish brig Pelicano touched, at 11 p.m., June 16th 

 1837. Regueral Shoal, on which a depth of 64 fathoms, shells, was found by the 

 pUot Andres Regueral, July 11th, 1798, in lat. 36° 35' N., long. 11° 3' W. 



These reports lead to the beUef that near the parallel of 36° 35' N., between 

 long. 9° and 11° W., dangers may exist, though careful search has failed to detect 

 them. We have been somewhat diffuse, but these reports are from one of the 

 great ocean highways, and here we must leave the subject for the present. It is 

 a blot on the charts ; but still a rock may exist hereabout similar in character to 

 Gettysburg Bank. The question of its existence ought to have been completely 

 set at rest many years since.* 



GORRINGE or GETTYSBURG BANK, lat. 36» 32' N., long. IP 35' W. 



T^is bank, lying between Madeira and Cape St. Vincent, at about two- 

 sevenths of the distance from the latter, was first discovered by Com- 

 mander Gorringe, of the U.S. steam-sloop Gettysburg, in December, 1876, 

 while engaged in carrying a line of deep-sea soundings between Gibraltar 

 and the Azores for telegraphic purposes. It was afterwards carefully ex- 

 amined by the ofi&cers of H.M.S. Salamis, in March, 1877, during a period 

 of four days. 



The area of Gorringe Bank, within the depth of 100 fathoms, is nearly 

 circular in shape, with an average diameter of 5 miles, included between 

 the parallels of 36° 29^' and 36° 34f N., and long. 11° 32' and 11° 38' W. 

 The shoalest part, within the depth of 35 to 30 fathoms, appears to be a 

 narrow ridge 2 miles in extent, running nearly East and "West ; the least 

 depth of 30 fathoms being confined to a small patch in lat. 36° 31^' N., 

 long. 11° 35I-' W. 



The nature of the bottom at depths under 50 fathoms was found to con- 

 sist of rock and coralline matter; in depths exceeding 50 fathoms, pebbles, 

 coralline substances, shells, and sand. Eish in abundance were caught on 

 the bank. 



Beyond the depth of 100 fathoms the soundings increase rapidly. The 

 depth of 1,000 fathoms being about 5 miles in a northerly direction from 

 the shoal ground ; 6 miles in a southerly ; 13 miles to the westward ; and 



• Possibly this danger may have been a temporary one, of volcanic origin. On 

 November 11th, 1858, at 7.45 a.m., the Venus, when 30 miles N.N.W. from Cape 

 St. Vincent, was seized with a violent trembling, as if caused by some volcanic erup- 

 tion; the shock was felt by all the orew, and lasted about 15 seconds, the noise resam- 

 bling the rumbling of thunder. Volcanic material has also bean found on Gorringa or 

 Gettysburg Bank. 



