speaking, overcapped with clouds, although when the weather is clear it can be distinctly seen upwards of 100 miles off. The islanders say it is visible 160 miles, but this appears doubtful, and almost impossible; for although its height might extend beyond the sensible horizon, the atmospheric medium of the intervening distance, would totally envelope it, and preclude the possibility of its being seen. The following view will give an idea of its

Peak of Tenerife, E. 6° S. 67 miles, Palma Island bearing N. 13° W. (true.)

Captain Beechy, R.N., visited Tenerife in June, 1825, and writes-"From our anchorage at Santa Cruz we had been daily tantalised with a glimpse only of the very summit of the Peak, peeping over a nearer range of mountains, and the hazy state of the weather on the day of our departure made us fearful we should pass on without beholding any more of it; but towards sunset, when we had reached some miles from the coast, we were most agreeably disappointed by a fair view of this gigantic cone. The sun set behind it; and as his beams withdrew, the mountain was thrown forward, until it appeared not half its real distance. Then followed a succession of tints, from the glowing colours of a tropical sky, to the sombre purple of the deepest valleys; varying in intensity with every intermediate range, until a landscape was produced, which for beauty of outline, and brilliancy of colour is rarely surpassed; and we acknowledged ourselves amply repaid for our days of suspense. Night soon closed upon the view; and, directing our compass to a well-known headland, we took a last look at the island, which was the only one of the Canary group we had seen: not on account of our distance from them, but owing to that mass of clouds which 'navigators behold incessantly piled over this archipelago.""

The coasts of Tenerife are in general high and steep, with no dangers but what are close-to, or a short distance from their base. At a little off the land of Point Anaga, the north-east extremity of the island, and on the north side, are two high black rocks, named the Anaga Rocks, having a clear channel of 13 to 14 fathoms between them. There is also an isolated rock off the village Garachico, near Buenavista Point, which is directly opposite the houses. The bank of soundings seldom extends more than 1 mile off, and is immediately succeeded by deep water.

Santa Cruz.-The principal port of Tenerife is Santa Cruz, situated on the south-east side of the island, at about 9 miles from Point Anaga. The capital of the island is Laguna, built on the central ridge of hills traversing the island; it is 5 miles from Santa Cruz, and a constant communication is kept up with that port, where is the residence of the civil and military authorities and of the governor of the islands.

There is but little at Santa Cruz to interest a stranger. The houses are of dazzling whiteness, and are not well built, and there are no public buildings with any pretensions to elegance. Wood and water can be procured, and supplies of provisions may also be obtained. The best road for shipping is

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between the middle of the town and a fort or castle, about a mile to the northward of it; here ships anchor in 6 or 8 fathoms, at a cable's length from the shore, or, in 25 or 30 fathoms, at half a mile distant. ved, in going in, not to bring any part of the town to the northward of West, lest calms should be caused by the land under the Peak; and should Care must be obserdriven ashore, anchors and cables are of no use, as you will have no ground on the opposite side of the ship, with 200 fathoms. you be time in the road, it is necessary to buoy her cables, otherwise the ground, being in some places foul, may chafe and spoil them. Here vessels, if When a ship lies any moored with good cables and anchors, may ride securely in all winds, although the bay is exposed and open to those which blow from the N.E, East, and S.E; but it is said that not above once in the space of 4 or 5 years do they blow so hard as to cause any considerable damage.*

Mr Bartlett, the English Consul at Santa Cruz, 1844, gives the following instructions for the anchorage:-"A vessel from the northward should endeavour to make Point Anaga, the north-east extremity of Tenerife, which is very lofty and easily known by two large high rocks lying close to it. Care should be taken not to get to leeward, the prevalent winds being between N.N.E. and E.N.E. After passing Point Antequerra 1 mile to the southward of Anaga there is a small shoal not far from the land between these points, named La Mancha, the town of Santa Cruz will be visible. While running for the anchorage keep both leads going, and bring up to the northward of the mole-head; or bring the clock front of the square church tower, that has a Cupola (San Francisco), to bear West (true) W.N.W by compass, and anchor with this mark on or to the northward of it.

Ships anchor in 30 fathoms or less. Give a large scope of chain cable, when the northernmost fort (Paso Alto) bears N.N.E., and the tower of San Francisco, as before stated; the depth of water will be about 25 fathoms. The shore may being no dangers but what are apparent. The anchorage to the southward be approached without risk, the water being deep and there of the mole is reserved for vessels in quarantine."

Lieut. Church, R.N., says of Santa Cruz, "Whilst surveying the Canary Islands in the Etna, we had, of course, considerable experience of Santa Cruz, and had no reason to consider it an unsafe anchorage. During the very many times that the Etna was there, in only one instance did we experience a gale from the south-eastward. Most of the shipping slipped at the commencement and got into the offing; but we remained at our anchors, and rode it out well. strain on the cables than might have been expected, arising as it appeared to Although a heavy sea tumbled in, there was much less us from an offset, which, together with there being a great up-hill drag for the anchor, diminishes the chance of driving.

The church tower with the cupola (San Francisco) open a little to the right of the mole-head, is considered the usual anchorage, and vessels congregate here in order to be near the landing-place. But, in a man-of-war, I would (especially if there are many vessels here) anchor considerably to the north

The following is the order for the regulation of quarantine, issued November 20th, 1832, which may still be in force:-"On the appearance of a British ship, a boat with a pilot, and carrying the Royal Spanish flag, will leave the mole, and point out the quarantine anchorage. If, from circumstances, it should be necessary to anchor, before communication can be had with the boat, the line of quarantine anchorage is S.E. and N.W., by compass, with the mole-head (nothing to the north of it); distance from 2 to 6 cables' lengths from the land; the depth of water, 10 to 20 fathoms, rocky. Anchorage to the north of the line stated, is for vessels admitted to free pratique. No ship is to lower boats, or communicate in any manner whatever, until visited by the health boat, and permission obtained. Ships bound to any port in any of the Canary Islands, from infected countries, must come to this bay, which is exclusively appointed for the observance of quarantine."

eastward or windward of this resort, the bank of soundings being wider, and to avoid having merchant-ships in the hawse; indeed, I see no reason why ships should not anchor nearly as far north as the Paso Alto fort, the most northern battery, in case the roads are crowded with shipping.*

I have noticed that ships coming from the north-eastward to Santa Cruz, run down at too great a distance from the land, and do not haul in until they get nearly abreast the town. They get a cast or two of the lead with no bottom, and immediately they get into soundings, the anchor is let go in a hurry, the bank being narrow and the ship's head in-shore, there being little time for consideration.

Instead of this method of proceeding, I think it would be advisable, on making the north-east end of Tenerife, Punta de Anaga, to haul in upon the bank of soundings immediately on passing Punta de Antiquerra, as from this point to Santa Cruz the bank extends as far out from the land as at the town, and the anchorage is just as good and as safe anywhere when abreast of the barrancos. I would get into the depth nearly that I wished to anchor in, and then run down with the light wind parallel to the shore. Besides having time to anchor leisurely, there is the advantage of being enabled, in case it falls calm, to let go an anchor under foot wherever you may be.

Should it fall calm, while the ship is outside soundings, she may be taken away to leeward by the southerly set, which once caused us twenty-four hours trouble to get back again. From experience, we latterly adopted the system I have mentioned."

Orotava. This port is on the north-west side of the island, at about 25 miles from Point Anaga. It is exposed to N.W. winds, which cause a heavy swell, but these, luckily, seldom occur, and in general give sufficient warning to afford time for a vessel to get away. The anchorage is in 40 and 50 fathoms, at about 1 mile from shore, with the Peak bearing S.W. Considerable damage was done to Orotava and its vicinity, by a dreadful hurricane which occurred in November, 1826. At 2 miles inland from the port is the town, situated in an amphitheatre of hills.

At 11 miles to the westward of Orotava is the village of Garachico, having before it a rocky islet, which affords protection to small vessels. All this part of the coast is exposed to winds from the northward.

Directions to be observed by British Vessels frequenting the Island of Tenerife.A Bill of Health is an indispensible document for a vessel's admission here, from whatever port she may arrive. The quarantine-laws are very rigorously enforced, and the want of a Bill of Health subjects vessels, even from England direct, to a quarantine, which is never removed without the ceremony of repeated health-visits, and payment of heavy fees. Great care must be taken not to get to leeward of the island, as it is a tedious and difficult matter to get up again, the usual and prevalent winds being between N.N.E. and E.N.E. Point Anaga should be made, which is the N.E. point of the island; it is very high, and easily known by two large high rocks, close to it, which appear like ships, and may be seen 7 or 8 leagues off. You must then run down till you come within 2 or 3 leagues; and, if bound to Port Orotava, must

* Mr Bartlett says that "there can be no doubt of the goodness of the anchorage to the north, near Paso Alto, but the objection for transports and merchant-ships is, that the masters will anchor to the north of the other vessels to be near the landing-place, and as the line of hills trends to the westward, and the land from the beach thereabouts is high, the land breeze is not felt (unless strong), and large ships with heavy anchors and few men will often find it difficult to get away, as before the anchors can be weighed, and the sails set, they will drift among the small vessels. Hence the great superiority of the anchorage, I have pointed out, as the land breeze is more felt and precautions being taken that the ships' head swings to seaward, she is immediately clear of all impedient, and the anchor may be secured leisurely."