HORSESHOE ROCK CAPE MUTTON. 87 



In June and July, the caplin season, a large number of boats are 

 engaged in fishing off this coast. 



Horseshoe rock, a patch ^ mile long northeast and southwest 

 and about 800 yards wide, situated with Mistaken point bearing 67°, 

 distant 61% miles, and with cape Pine lighthouse bearing 283°, distant 

 9 Jo miles, has 12 to 19 fathoms water over it. 



Nickerson bank is a rocky patch, extending about 1,600 yards 

 north-northwest and south-southeast, with a width of 1,400 yards, 

 within the 20-fathom contour line. On it are two heads of 10^ and 

 12 fathoms, 150 yards apart, with 13 fathoms between. The bank 

 is fairly steep-to. 



In heavy weather the sea probably breaks on the 10^-fathom head, 

 which lies with cape Race lighthouse bearing 40°, distant 17 1% miles 

 and with a long swell from the westward there is a decided lift over 

 the shoalest part of the bank. 



It is stated that there are other patches of 11 and 12 fathoms be- 

 tween Nickerson bank and Lamb rock (about 28 miles to the west- 

 ward). 



Freshwater point, west by north 2 miles from Mistaken point, 

 is low, with the land rising in its rear ; in the cove northward of the 

 point there is a waterfall 100 feet high. 



Current. — In calm weather and after easterly or southeasterly 

 winds the current sets westward round Freshwater point, while it 

 usually sets eastward during and after southwesterly or westerly 

 winds. 



Trepassey bay, 12 miles wide at its entrance between Freshwater 

 point and cape Pine, extends 4 miles inland ; and within it are Por- 

 tugal cove, Biscay and Mutton bays, and Trepassey harbor, the last 

 three being at the head of the bay. Between Freshwater point and 

 Portugal cove, 4^ miles north-northwestward, the cliffs are from 100 

 to 200 feet high and the shore rocky and difficult of access. 



Caution.-^Many wrecks have occurred upon this shore in foggy 

 weather, caused by the indraft, which sometimes runs 2 miles an hour 

 on the eastern side of this bay. Sailing vessels should keep a good 

 offing, as the wind often falls light near the shore, and the current and 

 drift of the sea are nearly always toward the land. 



Portugal cove is rocky and dangerous. On its eastern side a few 

 families live, who farm as well as fish, and have a good stock of cows, 

 horses, and sheep. 



Cape Mutton, a round hill 330 feet high, divides Biscay and 

 Mutton bays, both of which should be avoided by sailing vessels. 

 Biscay bay is | mile wide and 2 miles long, and at its head is a stream 

 abounding with trout and salmon. With offshore winds, steamers 

 anchor in the middle of the hnj in 5 fathoms water, sand bottom. 



