SANDWICH ISLANDS. 
83 
and prepare for our passage round Cape Horn. We 
anchored at the mouth of the harbour on the 24th, and 
next day removed farther into the bay. The greatest 
inconvenience we felt was the being obliged to anchor 
nearly four miles from the shore; added to which the 
harbour is any thing but safe for boats, as heavy gusts of 
wind frequently blow from the high lands in the vicinity, 
and render boat-sailing at times highly dangerous. It is 
therefore advisable to be careful in carrying sail, and that 
no boat should leave the ship without a grapnel. Great 
caution is also requisite in bathing, on account of the nu¬ 
merous sharks with which this place is infested. Landing 
may be effected in any part of the harbour in fine weather, 
and wood and water are to be obtained in abundance. The 
nearest watering-place (for there is another at the village of 
St. Miguel) is in a small sandy cove on the mainland, near 
the island of Santa Cruz. There is a very picturesque 
grotto here, formed by an overhanging rock, and also a con¬ 
stant stream of excellent water, supplied by a rivulet which 
rushes from the hills. Only four dollars were paid by our 
purser for as much wood as he chose to cut down. The 
population of St. Catherine’s is very scattered; the presi¬ 
dent or governor is appointed by the Emperor of the Brasils, 
m 2 
