36 A. FE. Verrill— The Bermuda Islands. 448 
works, enlarged and repaired, in 1620, the fort built by Governor 
Tucker on Paget’s Island and called Paget’s Fort. He made the 
following criticism of the original structure :— 
*“Some 8 or 10 men are appointed to cutt out a plattforme at 
Pagett’s Fort, the which (as the worck itselfe sheweth to this daye, 
and ever will doe in despight of all amends) proved so unfashion- 
able, uncapable, and ill layd out, that it is absolutely the most 
uncerviceable and unsightlest peece in that kind of the whole ilands; 
and yet by situation and for use, requireinge as much or more pro- 
tection than any other whatsoever.” Elsewhere, he stated that at 
high tides and in storms it was partly under water. 
Across the harbor from St. George’s lies St. David’s Island, only 
accessible by boat. This is a large island, irregular in form, with 
several hills over one hundred feet high, and with a very broken 
coast line, enclosing several bays and coves. It is the principal seat 
of the sea-turtle fishery, which is carried on only in summer, from 
June to September. 
The turtles are taken by the skillful use of very large and strong 
seines, eighty to eighty-five fathoms long and about six to seven 
fathoms wide. About eight boats, with two men in each, engage in 
this fishery. The number caught here is quite variable, say from 
fifty to one hundred and fifty Green Turtles each season, besides a 
few Hawksbills. The average weight is, perhaps, about fifty 
pounds; occasionally one of one hundred and fifty pounds is taken.* 
They are kept temporarily in small ponds built of loose masonry, 
on the shore, at localities where there is a flow of sea-water through 
the beach, during ebb-tide, from the outlets of caverns. These are 
very favorable places for obtaining a constant renewal of the 
enclosed waters by natural means. The turtles are fed weekly until 
marketed, on the marine “ turtle-grass,” (Zostera) and sometimes on 
the weed “ pusley ” or purslane from the land. 
A large amount of excellent arrowroot was formerly grown on 
this island, but it is less extensively cultivated at present. The 
lighthouse, situated on a hill 138 feet high, affords a wide view of 
the eastern islands. Near the lighthouse there is a cavern, opening 
on the shore cliff. 
A line of several smaller islands forms the southern and south- 
eastern boundaries of Castle Harbor. Of these, Cooper’s Island is 
* Sea turtles of large size originally laid their eggs in the Bermuda. beaches, 
but ceased to do so very soon after the settlement. (See Part III, ch. 31.) 
+ For these notes on the present turtle fishery I am indebted to Miss Victoria 
Hayward. 
