12 
kept going day and night, in depths of 150 to 200 fathoms. In accordance 
with instructions from the Admiralty, an additional number of hawsers 
were supplied to the vessels, for the purpose of sweeping for the rock; and 
with a line of them, amounting to more than 700 fathoms, (three quarters 
of a mile) a large portion of the suspected ground was subjected to ex¬ 
amination. Great pains were taken during spring tides, when the rock 
might be expected to be uncovered, but the search failed to produce it, 
and on 3lst August, the vessels returned. Mr. Andrew Livingston, a mari¬ 
ner of great intelligence and experience, and himself a large contributor 
to the work from which the above account is taken, says, in reference to 
this search, “ Captain Vidal’s researches do not convince me that Aitkin’s 
rock does not exist ; for I have no doubt of Mover’s having told the 
truth, and Captain Clarke is a man above suspicion: but it is very easy 
to pass a speck like it very close and not see it; particularly at, or near 
high water.” 
Though it may be necessary to advert again to the Vigia, it would be 
but trespassing on the indulgence of the reader to multiply instances like 
that of Aitkin’s Rock. It may be assumed, that the greater number of 
these reported dangers are unreal, and have had no better origin than a 
decaying iceberg, a barnacle-covered wreck, a dead whale, a large tree, 
piece of timber, or even a large cask, overgrown with shells and sea-weed. 
Yet some do exist, though of what precise character has still to be deter¬ 
mined. If such a monster as the kraken had ever been reported in the 
Atlantic, one or two of his attendant phenomena might be recognised in 
some of the stories of the Yigia. 
