608 CAPE BONAVISTA TO CAPE RACE. 



more or less block the cliannel. Field ice arrives from January to 

 the middle of February, and is generally 6 to 18 inches thick; it 

 leaves about April or May. Vessels come and go throughout the year. 

 Wintering. — The northern side, 200 feet long, of the north wharf, 

 belonging to the Dock Company, where there is a depth of 22 feet at 

 low water springs, is convenient for wintering, as it is out of the way 

 of traffic and of vessels using the dock, and it is sheltered, with 

 scarcely any swell, even during strong easterly winds. 



Fog is less frequent at St. Johns than farther southward. It is 

 stated that although there may be fog iu the offing, it is frequently 

 clear inside of cape Spear. 



Tides. — It is high water, full and change, in St. Johns harbor at 

 7h. 30m. : springs rise 3f feet, neaps -3^ feet. There is very little tidal 

 stream in the entrance channel. 



St. Johns. — The city of St. Johns, the capital of Newfoundland 

 and the seat of government, covers the steep, hilly ground on the 

 northwestern side of the harbor, and continues along the banks of 

 the river, which flows into its head, and also lines the southeastern 

 side of the harbor; it has several handsome public buildings, of which 

 the most conspicuous is the Roman Catholic cathedral. Population, 

 see page 30. 



Consuls. — There is a consul-general for Belgium, and there nre 

 consuls or vice-consuls for the United States, Brazil, Germany, Italy, 

 Portugal, Spain. Sweden, and Norway, at St. Johns. 



Supplies of every kind can be readily obtained. Water is brought 

 from Windsor lake, distant 4 miles, by the General Water Company ; 

 the supply is almost unlimited, and the water is soft, clear, and pure. 

 Pipes are placed on the wharves for the supply of shipping. 



Coal. — About 64.000 tons of coal are imported annually, and there 

 are usually about 13,G00 tons in stock at St. Johns. See also page 67. 

 Vessels can haul alongside the coal hulk, or coal from lighters, or 

 go alongside wharves. 



Docks. — The dry dock at St. Johns is 558 feet long on the blocks, 

 630 feet long over all, and 85f feet wide at its entrance, and the depth 

 of water over the sill at high water ordinary spring tides is 25 feet. 

 The dock can be pumped out in 2^ hours; it has bilge blocks, which 

 are worked by a chain from the top of the dock, thereby giving extra 

 support to a vessel before the dock is dry. 



The floating dock is 135 feet long over all and 49 feet wide; it is 

 capable of taking vessels of 300 tons, and has lU feet over the blocks 

 when sunk. This dock is reported to be out of repair. 



Repairs. — Messrs. Angel & Co. are prepared to carry out repairs 

 to hull and machinery with dispatch, their plant being extensive and 

 fit for heavy work. 



