6 A. FE. Verrill— The Bermuda Islands. 418 
of the larger islands are connected by bridges and the great cause- 
way, so that one can drive the entire length of the group, which is 
about 22 miles, following the road. 
There is only one ship-channel by which vessels of any considera- 
ble size can pass through the reefs and enter the anchorages of the 
north side, or the harbor of Hamilton. The harbor of St. George’s — 
and Castle Harbor are entered from the south side, but the channels 
are not deep enough for very large vessels, although the principal 
one was blasted out, over the bar, to the depth of 16 feet, about 45 
years ago, and efforts have recently been made to deepen it to 22 or 
24 feet. 
The main ship-channel through the reefs:to the Navy Yard and to 
Hamilton Harbor is deep enough for the largest naval vessels, but it 
is narrow and crooked, and although well buoyed, local pilots are 
required by the passenger steamers, and the passage is not made at 
night. 
There are two good lighthouses. The largest is the Gibb’s Hill 
Light, near the western end of the main island. It is an iron tower, 
about 117 feet high, situated on top of a hill 245 feet high, so that 
the total height is 362 feet. (See figure 2.) The powerful light can 
Figure 2.— Gibb’s Hill Lighthouse, as seen from the sea, bearing N.E. by North. 
be seen at a distance of about 25 miles, from an elevation of 10 feet, 
or 30 miles from an elevation of 40 feet. (Plate Ixv, fig. 2.) This 
was required on account of the extremely dangerous outer reefs, that 
often lie from 8 to 10 miles from the land, to the north and west. 
The other lighthouse is on St. David’s Island, at the eastern end of 
the group, and near the main ship-channel. 
It is well known that these islands, which were discovered about 
1510, by Juan de Bermudez, were greatly dreaded by the early 
navigators, and were regarded by some of them as the abode of 
