SCHUMACHER ON KJOKKENMODDINGS OF CALIFORNIA. 45 



for a passage over to the island. It may be that the cave is in exist- 

 ence, but as to human bones and curious things I found myself often 

 deceived. 



While at Forney's Cove, we enjoyed the visits of Dr. J. T. Eothrock, 

 Dr. Oscar Loew, and Mr. H. W. Henshavv, all members of the scientific 

 corps of Lieutenant Wheeler's exploring expedition. Being on their 

 way to Los Angeles, the rendezvous for the members of that expedition, 

 they made a close connection with the island by steamer Hassler, and 

 having a few days' spare time, joined us in our rough camp at Forney's 

 Cove, to observe our excavations, and also do some work themselves 

 in their respective branches. 



Eeturned again to Prisoner Harbor, we finished the packing of our 

 collection, which amounted already to twenty-five large boxes, and had 

 them properly addressed to a warehouse in San Francisco, with which 

 arrangement for their reception had previously been made. 



I wish to say a few words in relation to the early history of the two 

 islands already worked up. Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, and San Miguel, it 

 is well known, were discovered by Cabrilloinl542, and named by him San 

 Lucas. He died in a harbor in one of these islands. The record says: — 

 "He sailed from Monterey Bay, and anchored on the 23d of November, 

 1542, in a harbor in one of the group mentioned before, and named by 



him San Lucas " "On San Lucas, Juan Eodriguez Cabrillo was 



buried on the 3d of January, 1543. The port in which he died was called 

 Juan Eodriguez." There seems to be hardly any doubt that the port 

 selected by Cabrillo among the group as a shelter was the present Cuyler 

 Harbor, which is the only well-protected port in the three islands. Water 

 is obtainable in two springs the year round, and is plentiful in the season 

 in which his stay occurred. Further, the record says: — "Ferrelo, his 

 pilot (forced by strong winds to return from his northern trip, made in 

 compliance with the wishes of the dying commander to proceed as far 

 to the north as possible), dared not to re-enter this port on account of 

 dangerous breakers at its entrance." This corresponds entirely with the 

 appearance of Cuyler Harbor during the time of rough sea, because from 

 the eastern side of the bay to the rock-islet heavy breakers roll over the 

 partially exposed reef and the rocks in the bay a little to the westward 

 of it, so that, coming from the northwest, its way of approach, the en- 

 trance seems barred by breakers and impassable. Taking Cuyler Harbor 

 and the ports in Santa Cruz and Santa Eosa into consideration as shel- 

 ters, and comparing their natural formation with the historic record, 

 there seems to be no doubt that the harbor on San Miguel, and not 

 Prisoner Harbor on Santa Cruz, as some believe, is the port in which 

 Cabrillo died. We did not spend any time in searching for his grave on 

 San Miguel, where the best location is offered between the spring below 

 the house and the east end of the harbor, but, to satisfy my curiosity, 

 we dug in a place at Prisoner Harbor, which was well described tome 

 in a letter of a southern gentleman, and in a very positive manner, as 



