90 BERMUDA. 



the point of egress into the open sea was formerly 

 considered as a great objection; but it no longer 

 applies, as steam-vessels can in a short time tow the 

 ships out to sea. 



Betwieen Ireland and Somerset Islands there are 

 several smaller ones, the chief of which is Boaz 

 Island, also the property of Government, and on 

 which convict prisons are being built. A bridge 

 connects Boaz with Ireland Island; and frequent 

 communication is held between Boaz and Somerset 

 Islands by means of a ferry-boat. 



Somerset Island — one of the best portions of the 

 group — was so named from the title of the King's 

 favourite, Robert Carr, Earl of Somerset. Between 

 the extremity of Sandy's Tribe and the south-west 

 part of Somerset Island, there is a place of anchorage 

 for merchant vessels, which is called Ellis, or Elies, 

 Harbour. The passage through the shoals leading 

 to it from seaward is, however, intricate and dan- 

 gerous, and cannot be attempted by a stranger with- 

 out a pilot. Its western point is Daniel's Head, off 

 which is a small island. 



From Spanish Point there is a reef extending 

 towards Ireland Isle, about a mile and three-quarters 

 in a north-west direction, which forms a natural 

 breakwater to the Western or Great Sound. 



