PACIFIC AND BEERING’S STEAIT. 
407 
grow more conveniently for embarkation there than at S4n Francisco. CHAP. 
Though the distance between these two places is very little more than 
a hundred miles, our passage was prolonged to two days by light winds. Jam 
On the last day of the year we passed Punto ano nuevo, which with 
Punto Pinos forms the bay of Monterey. This is a spacious sandy 
bay about twenty miles across, and according to Perouse with anchorage 
near the shore in almost every part ; but it is not advisable to enter it 
in any other place than that which is frequented as an anchorage, in 
consequence of a heavy swell which almost always rolls into it from the 
westward. The mission of Santa Cruz is situated at the north ex- 
tremity of the bay near Punto aho nuevo, and vessels occasionally anchor 
off there for fresh water and supplies of vegetables, neither of which 
are to be had in any quantity at Monterey. Care should be taken in 
landing at Santa Cruz, as the surf is very heavy, and the river of St. 
Lorenzo has a bar off it, which it is necessary to pass. 
We dropped our anchor in Monterey Bay on the first of January, 
and with the permission of the governor, D. Miguel Gonzales, imme- 
diately commenced cutting the spars we required ; for each of which we 
paid a small sum. Through the assistance of Mr. Hartnell, we pro- 
cured several things from the missions which we should otherwise have 
sailed without, and our thanks are further due to him for his kindness 
and attention during our stay. 
The anchorage of Monterey is about two miles south-east of point 
Pinos, in the south angle of the great bay just described. It is neces- 
sary to lie close to the shore, both on account of the depth of water, and 
in order to receive the protection of point Pinos, without which ships 
could not remain in the bay. It presents to the eye a very exposed 
anchorage, but no accidents have ever occurred to any vessel properly 
found in cables and anchors ; in which respect it very much resembles 
the bay of Valparaiso, nearly in the same parallel in the southern 
hemisphere. 
The village and presidio of Monterey are situated upon a plain 
between the anchorage and a range of hills covered with woods of pine 
and oak. The presidio is in better condition than that at S4n Fran- 
cisco ; still as a place of defence it is quite useless. The fort is not 
