278 CAPE RAY TO CAPE BAULD. 



The northwestern sides of Indian Head hills fall steeply to a large 

 shallow lagoon, separated from the sea by a narrow strip of stony 

 beach 300 yards across, which trends north-northwestward nearly 3 

 miles from Indian head. Off this beach, and also off Indian head, 

 the 10-fathoms line is less than ^ mile from the shore. 



Anchorage. — The soundings in the middle of St. George harbor 

 northward of Harbor point vary from 12 to 18 fathoms, and there 

 is anchorage am-where within a reasonable distance of the shore, but 

 during strong westerly winds a heavy sea sets in, and during fresh 

 easterly winds there are violent squalls off the high land. The 

 anchorage under Flat island should, therefore, be obtained if possible ; 

 it is easy of access, and affords excellent holding ground, with smooth 

 water, in 6 to 10 fathoms water, stiff mud bottom. A good berth is 

 in 7 fathoms of water, with the outer end of the government wharf 

 bearing 278°, and the lighthouse 356°. Strong easterly winds are 

 frequently experienced here, but though the squalls are very heavy, 

 the water is smooth, the holding ground very good, and a vessel can 

 lie in safety. 



Many local schooners anchor on the southern side of the harbor off 

 Turf point. 



Tides. — It is high water, full and change, at Sandy point at 

 9h. 45m. ; springs rise 5^ feet, neaps 3| feet; neaps range 1^ feet. 



•During springs the tidal streams run with some strength at the 

 anchorage. 



Directions. — Bound the beach at Harbor point at a convenient 

 distance, give its southern side a berth of over 300 yards, and anchor 

 as above directed. 



Stephenville comprises the district extending northwestward 

 about 5 miles from Indian head. There are numerous houses about 

 the shores of the lagoon, northwestward of Indian head, and on the 

 low slopes northwestward of it, as well as on the beach; and there 

 is also a Roman Catholic church standing near the beach. A road 

 passes round the lagoon to the ferry at St. George river, and also 

 westward to Isthmus bay. At a short distance eastward of the 

 church, Blanche river, a small stream, flows through the stony beach 

 into the sea ; the country inland is of moderate elevation, thickly 

 wooded where not cultivated, and has several ponds. 



Romaines brook flows into the sea 3^ miles westward from 

 Stephenville church, the coast between being high banks of sand, 

 broken in places by small streams; the entrance to the brook is dry 

 at low water and very narrow ; the pools inside are frequented by sea 

 trout. About 200 j^ards within its mouth the brook is crossed by a 

 bridge carrying the road to Isthmus bay; above it the stream is ob- 

 structed by banks of stone and shingle, and on the eastern side there 

 is a remarkable outcrop of gypsum, small quantities of which are 



