x Spanish Rock. 
Figure 244.—Ancient inscription on ‘‘Spanish Rock,” after Lefroy, 1879. It 
has been attributed by most writers to Ferdinando Camelo, a native of Por-_ 
tugal, who received an abortive charter for the settlement of Bermuda from 
the King of Spain, about 1527. But there is no evidence that he ever visited 
the islands. If the monogram ever stood for his name the C has now dis- 
appeared by weathering. Quite possibly this has happened. At present, 
the monogram more resembles TK or FK. It is more probable that it is the 
only known record of the survivors of some disastrous shipwreck in 1043, 
who may have lived for some time on these islands, and perhaps died here. 
Possibly only a single individual survived, and he may have lived alone for 
years, like ‘‘ Robinson Crusoe.” The presence of a cross would rather 
exclude the theory that it was left by pirates or buccaneers. 
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This is probably one of the mementoes of the supposed visits of the Spanish 
before the English settlement, mentioned by Gov. Butler, in 1619: ‘‘ Witnesse 
certaine crosses left erected upon rocks and promontories.” He also refers to 
old Spanish coins that had been found here by the early settlers. 
~The inscription, which was originally deeply cut in the limestone ledge, is 
gradually becoming less distinct, due partly to weathering and partly to vandal- 
ism of visitors. A cast of it is preserved in the Public Library, at Hamilton. 
