264 CREW POINT TO CAPE RAY. 



and the northern extremity of Cape Breton island, is nearly 3 miles 

 long and 1 mile broad. It is composed of primary rocks, principally 

 mica slate, dipping at an agle of about 45° to the southward. Its 

 northern point is a small detached rock (although it appears con- 

 nected from the sea), separated by a very narrow channel from a 

 peninsula, about 400 feet high, which, together with the isthmus 

 joining it to the body of the island, is so precipitous as to be nearly in- 

 accessible. The remaining greater part of the island is also precipi- 

 tous toward the sea, and it rises in two parallel ranges of hills, that 

 on the eastern coast being the higher, and attaining an elevation of 

 500 feet. 



A valley runs between these hills, and in it are two ponds, at some 

 250 feet above the sea. These supply a stream, which is about 6 feet 

 wide and flows into the sea in the southern part of Trinity cove. Its 

 water is of a yellowish-brown color, but it is wholesome and tastes 

 good. There are several other much smaller streams of water, one of 

 which runs into Atlantic cove. Trinity cove is on the western, and 

 Atlantic cove on the eastern side of the island, both being nearly 1 

 mile from its southern point, and they afford the only shelter for 

 boats and the only good landing on the island, which is easier of 

 ascent from them than at any other part. The island is partially 

 wooded with dwarf and scrubby spruce trees, useless, except for fuel. 



The island belongs to the province of Nova Scotia. 



Half a mile off the island the water becomes deep, so that there is 

 little or no warning by the lead in approaching it in foggy weather ; 

 although bold and high, many shipwrecks, attended with loss of life, 

 have occurred upon it. 



The varying tidal streams and currents add much to the danger 

 arising from fog, which prevails in southerly, easterly, and often 

 with southwesterly winds. (See p. 52.) 



Provision depot. — A depot of provisions for the relief of ship- 

 wrecked persons, furnished by the government of the Dominion of 

 Canada, is on the northern point of Trinity cove, where there is a 

 store and a dwelling house for the men in charge. Fish are plentiful 

 around the island. 



Anchorage. — Small fishing vessels anchor oft' Trinity and Atlantic 

 coves with offshore winds at 400 yards from the rocks in 10 to 12 

 fathoms, sand and gravel bottom. In very fine weather large vessels 

 might ride with a stream anchor, at about ^ mile offshore, in 25 to 30 

 fathoms, but such vessels must be ready to weigh at any sign of a 

 change of weather. (See also Beacons.) 



Atlantic cove — Tide Gauge house. — A white tide-gauge house, 

 which is conspicuous from seaward, stands about 40 feet above high- 

 water mark on the western shore of Atlantic cove. 



