537 A. EK. Verrili—The Bermuda Islands. 12 
Or 
The drawing was very likely made by Mr. Richard Norwood for 
this purpose, for he was a man of good ability as a draughtsman, 
and was making his first survey in 1616. The scene evidently com- 
memorates the wreck of the French vessel, the ‘“ Bonaventura,” on 
the 17th of Nov., 1593, on board of which was the English seaman, 
Henry May, who published after his escape to England, in 1594, an 
account of his experiences. 
A comparison of several photographs, taken at various times within 
the past thirty years, shows but little alteration in these North Rocks, 
but some severe storm may suddenly overthrow them. They are 
situated near the extreme edge of the outer reefs, about eight miles 
from the islands, and stand on an extensive patch of flat reef, part 
of which is laid bare by low tides. (Fig. 30.) They are 8 to 144 
. 
Figure 30.—North Rocks, bearing N. 80° W.; height of highest point 1414 feet, 
above low-tide. From a photograph taken by Mr. J. B. Heyl, Dec. 27, 1875. 
feet high and evidently are the remains of an island of considerable 
height and extent that has been nearly worn away to the sea-level 
by erosion. The evidence from the ancient seal indicates that the 
erosion even in this exposed situation has not been rapid, though 
these rocks seem to have decreased somewhat in height. 
b.—Shipwreck of the Sea Venture, 1609. 
But another remarkable shipwreck, which occurred there in 1609, 
attracted far more attention, and led to the settlement of the islands 
in 1612. 
