Coast of the Republic of Colorabia-Gallinas Point to Cape Tiburon (Cont'd.) 
with regular soundings of from 4 to 7 fathoms (7.3 to 12.8 m.) On the 
eastern side there are some remarkable red cliffs, and about 1/2 mile 
within the eastern, entrance point stands the customhouse with two 
small towers; the west point of entrance is low and the 5-fathom (9.1 m.) 
curve extends about 3/4 mile northward of it. A warehouse with a wooden 
tower 40 feet (12.2 m.) high is situated in the southern part of the bay. 
Anchorage may be taken up as most convenient on the east side 
of the bay, but a swell sets into the bay and renders the southwestern 
side unsafe. 
The surrounding country is devoid of communications. is 
desolate, lacks water, and for that reason is practically uninhabited 
except a small company of Colombian soldiers and about 50 Indians at 
Bahia Honda. The nearest fresh-water supply is about 20 miles inland. 
P* 75. El Portete . — From Bahia Honda the coast rises, trending 
southwestward about 11 miles to the narrow entrance of a large but 
shallow lagoon named El Portete; it is only fit for small vessels. 
Cape La Vela (12° 13' N., 72° 11' W., H. 0. Chart 964). - 
Westward of El Portete the coast takes a westerly direction for about 
11 miles, and is free from danger as far as a little hill, rising 
abruptly from the shore in the shape of a sugar loaf, against which the 
sea breaks heavily at times. From this hill a high rugged ridge of 
land trends to the southwestward about 3 miles to the bold headland 
Cape La Vela; some authorities, however, give this name to the hill 
just described. 
