150 ISLAND OF ST. CATHARINE'S. [1824. 



of the eastern point of Arvoredo is in lat. 27° 16' S., long. 48° 7' 

 W. At seven A. M. we were close in with the east side of St. Catha- 

 rine's, the north-east point of which is in lat. 27° 26' S., long. 48° 24 

 W. Variation 8° 7' easterly. 



This island presents a beautiful appearance while approaching it 

 from sea. The port or anchorage is easy of access, and well sheltered ; 

 and I would recommend this port, in preference to any other on the 

 coast, as a stopping place for whalemen and others to procure re- 

 freshments. The inhabitants are honest and honourable in their deal- 

 ings with strangers, not permitting any impositions to be practised on 

 them. They are friendly to all foreigners, particularly from the 

 United States. By showing a due degree of politeness to the gov- 

 ernor, captain of the port, collector, &c, accompanied with a few 

 presents, a ship-master will secure a prompt attention to his interests, 

 and find himself ultimately the gainer. I learned this fact by touch- 

 ing here while I was mate of the Wasp, in 1820. Wood and water 

 of an excellent quality can be had here in great abundance ; as can 

 also provisions and fruit of every description : fish alone are scarce. 

 Beef, pork, fowls, &c. are very cheap. The climate is healthy, the 

 harbour excellent, the inhabitants liberal and accommodating. 



The scenery in the island of St. Catharine's is embellished by its 

 steep and conical rocks, and the wood-covered mountains on the neigh- 

 bouring continent, from which it is separated by a narrow strait or bay. 

 " Nothing," says Commodore Porter, " can exceed the beauty of the 

 great bay to the north, formed by the island of St. Catharine's and 

 the continent. There is every variety to give beauty to the scene — 

 handsome villages, and houses built around shores which gradually 

 ascend in mountains, covered to their summits with trees which re- 

 main in constant verdure ; a climate always temperate and healthy ; 

 small islands scattered here and there, equally covered with verdure ; 

 the soil extremely productive ; all combine to render it, in appearance, 

 the most delightful country in the world." The commodore is cor- 

 rect ; and he might have added that the summer heats are agreeably 

 tempered by refreshing breezes from the south-west and north-east. 

 The former continue from April to August ; the latter from September 

 to March. This island was at one time covered with lofty trees ; but 

 the most of them have been cut down and used in ship-building. The 

 soil in the interior is humid and very fertile, and an extraordinary pro- 

 fusion of flowers indicates a genial climate. The jessamine and the 

 rose are in bloom throughout the year. 



In entering this port from the north, it is best to steer between the 

 islands Gal and Arvoredo, leaving a small rocky island on the right, 

 called St. Pedro. " The latter lies three and a half miles west-north- 

 west of Arvoredo. A south-south-west and south-west-by-south course 

 leads directly to Fort Santa Cruz. The anchorage is perfectly safe 

 everywhere, whether to the northward or southward of the fort ; yet 

 it is better to anchor to the southward, as well on account of com- 

 munication with the town, as of the vicinity to the village of St. 

 Miguel, where the best water is to be procured. In coming to St. 



