covered at high water. It is named Cruces from an iron cross fixed on the side of the hill, about one-fourth the distance up from the point to the summit.

The Castle of Sta. Isabel, or St. Elizabeth, on the eastern side, is the first building seen within the harbour. the opposite side, is round and high; it seems standing in the water, but is The Tower of St. Sebastian, above it, on connected to a small battery on the land. The space between the Castle of St. Elizabeth and this tower is the only anchorage for vessels drawing more than 10 feet water.

The Hermitage of St. Anna is the second building seen on entering the harbour. It stands on the eastern side, at a quarter of a mile above the Castle of St. Elizabeth, and serves as a mark for avoiding the western shoal that lies without the entrance.

In entering the harbour, when at the distance of 2 or 3 cables' length from the mouth of it, bring the Hermitage of St. Anna, with the rocks at its base, open with the iron cross on Point Cruces; or bring the extremity of Point Cruces in a line with salient angle on the western side of St. Elizabeth's Castle; then stand on, with these marks, in mid-channel, until you are half-way between the little Point of Arando and Point Cruces. From this spot stand more to the eastward, in order to keep clear of the rocky shoal about that point, until the Tower of St. Sebastian appears between St. Elizabeth's Castle and the point. Now steer for the tower, which will lead through the deepest water to Point Cruces, whence you turn towards the Castle of St. Elizabeth. Having passed the Castle of St. Elizabeth, you may bring-to, in 3 or 4 fathoms, with an anchor from the stern; then make fast cables to the shore on both sides, in rocks bored through for the purpose. room to turn the vessel round, and to moor with 4 good cables out, N.E. and At high water there will be S.W., and N.W. and S.E., especially in winter, on account of the strong run of the sea and the whirling gusts of wind, which come down through the breaks in the hills into and about the harbour.

The time of high water in the port is 3h. Common spring tides rise 12 feet, neap tides 8 to 10 feet; equinoctial spring tides, 15 feet.

General Remarks.-1. A large vessel may take this harbour with the wind from W.N.W. by the north to E.N.E., when the tide is growing, and the sea not very rough. Other winds are apt to take the vessel a-head, in the windings in the harbour, which is too narrow to admit of tacking; but when these winds are very easy, vessels can anchor at the entrance, and may be warped in, or towed by the country boats. The most adverse wind is from the West; for as, from the mouth as far as Point .Cruces, it draws away a little to the N.W., it promises an easy entrance; but, from this point inwards, it comes away from the S.W. squally and uneven, so as neither to allow a vessel to go in, nor to turn back to the mouth, nor even to come to anchor, because this is the narrowest part of the harbour, so that such circumstances render an advance dangerous.

2. The tide ought to be growing, for the wind commonly dies away between Point Cruces and St. Elizabeth's Castle; but the tide, added to the ship's way, soon carries her beyond that spot; but with regard to the steerage, it is taken for granted that she has boats, both a-head and a-stern, to assist in case of danger. Should she touch the ground anywhere, the tide probably may lift

her off.

3 If the sea without be not moderate, the water is so rough within the harbour as to disturb the steering of any vessel, and she may in a few seconds be on shore.

4. At this and the other harbours hereabout the activity of the native sea

men alleviates the dangers very considerably, being ready with their boats in piloting and towing vessels into them. Those of Port Passage and the neighbouring harbour of St. Sebastian have peculiar encouragement, by a regulation, which ordains that the boat which first reaches the vessel must be employed, and each man in her paid 12 reals of Vellon, or 2s 6d sterling. The other boats may either be employed or not, at the option of the master, and each man employed can demand only 9 reals, or 1s 10d. Both men and boats are well qualified for towing, warping, mooring, or keeping a vessel of any size in her proper course.

5. In thick or hazy weather, when the people in the vigias, or look-outs, on land, are unable to discover vessels, on firing a few shots, the boats stand off to sea, but not beyond soundings. In stormy weather, when they cannot venture off, the people repair to the mouth of the harbour, to make fast cables on shore, and do everything else in their power to assist vessels approaching..

At the distance of 5 leagues from Port Passage, the dept without varies from 100 to 120 fathoms; and at one league, from 25 to 30 fathoms; in some places rock and in others sand. The prevailing winds hereabout are, in winter, from the S.W. and N.W. quarters, in general with rain. In summer, gales from E. and N.E., with clear open weather, are frequent. The currents generally follow the direction of the winds.

If a vessel bound for Port Passage should find the wind blowing hard from west, the safest way will be not to attempt this harbour, but to run, if possible, into that of St. Sebastian, and stay there until the wind or weather changes; or, if more to the westward, she may be sheltered on the east side of the Atalaya, or Look-out Point, of Guetaria, 7 miles from St. Sebastian, as the anchorage there is safe and easily taken.

ST. SEBASTIAN.—To the westward of Port Passage is the high and steep Point of Atalaya, with a shoal at 2 cables' length from it, on which the sea breaks, when there is even but little swell. There is a passage between the shoal and the land, through which a vessel may venture in case of necessity.

The northern point of Mount Orgullo, or the high land of St. Sebastian, is a mile and a half from Point Atalaya; it is of moderate elevation, and has on its summit the large Castle of La Mota. Within the hill, on the S.E., is the fortified Town of St. Sebastian, which is the capital of the Province of Guipuzcoa, and the seat of its commerce.

The lighthouse on Mount Orgullo shows a fixed white light at 203 feet above the sea, visible 15 miles. It is lighted only during the winter months, or from the 14th of September to the 3rd of May.

In the middle of the bay is the small Island of Sta. Clara, upon which is a chapel dedicated to this saint. The island is of moderate height, although much lower than the hills on either side the bay, and is somewhat rugged. The passage between it and Mount Igueldo on the west, is almost closed up by several ledges of rocks, leaving only one narrow channel for small craft; but that between the island and Mount Orgullo on the east side, is clean, and has a depth in the middle of from 9 to 10 fathoms, but only 2 fathoms near the sides.

Without the harbour, at the distance of about a quarter of a mile from the Island of Sta. Clara, is a rocky shoal, named La Bancha, which is about the same size as the island, and runs parallel to it. The soundings on it are from 3 to 6 fathoms, with 7 to 11 fathoms all round, and the sea breaks on it when there is a swell.

To enter the bay, keeping clear of La Bancha, bring St. Bartholomew's Church (which stands in the bottom of the bay, on a rising ground near the

E

shore, and is the largest building in that quarter) in a line with Mount Ordaburo (which stands inland, having two peaks on its summit), and bearing S. by E. E. By following this direction, until the town of Guetaria is hidden by the northernmost part of Mount Igueldo, you will be within the shoal, and may make for that anchorage in the bay which seems most convenient.

The common anchorage for large vessels is about a cable's length to the south-eastward of Sta. Clara Island, but it will admit only two at a time, in from 4 to 5 fathoms, mooring with 4 anchors N.E. and S.W., and N.W. and S.E., as, from the small extent of deep water, there is not room for them to swing round. All the cables and anchors should be good, because those to the N.E. and N.W. have to resist the heavy sea setting in when the wind is to N.W., and those to the S.E. and S.W. have to resist the eflux of water out of the bay. Cables may also be made fast to the rocks of the island, taking care to serve them well to the length of 30 fathoms, as the bottom is rocky close around the island. At a greater distance the ground is clear and good. Small vessels may come-to on the south side of the island, in 2 and 3 fathoms.

For the protection of vessels trading with the town, there are piers, within which vessels of 300 tons may enter at high water, but when the tide is out they lie dry on a hard bottom. In a gale from the N.W. it is very hazardous

to run for the piers, for the vessel must come-to opposite the outer one, perfectly exposed, and at high water precisely, when some of the shore boats must be employed to convey a cable to the ship, by which the people on the pier heave her within the heads.

From Mount Igueldo to the River Orrio, an extent of 5 miles, the coast is high and precipitous, and from two small projecting points are some detached rocks, with ground which appears of a whitish colour, and hence the second point is named Tierra Blanca. which serves as a mark for the coast. The latter is at the foot of Mount Agudo, tween high land on each side, and on its bar is a depth of only one foot at The mouth of the River Orrio lies below water; the river, therefore, is frequented by vessels no larger than fishing boats and small craft.

From Orrio westward the coast continues high and steep to Point Mairuari, a distance of about one mile. which is of moderate height, and surrounded with reefs. An islet of the same name lies off the point, sandy cove of Saraus, a mile in breadth, the west point of which, named Itegui, Hence follows the is high and steep.

About 7 miles to the westward, from the Lighthouse of St. Sebastian, is the Atalaya, or Look-out Point, of Guetaria. It is the north point of the Island of St. Antonio, which has a chapel on its top. The island is rather elevated, and joined to the main by a pier, so as to afford a safe harbour for small vessels: but those of a larger class may anchor securely on the east side of the pier in 8 to 10 fathoms, being well protected from all winds from the S.W. to N.N.W., but is entirely open to other winds. This road may be readily known, when near the land, by the island; but at a distance the island is not distinguishable from the main land. In a state of uncertainty, if the flat shore of Saraus be made, this will be a certain guide.

Ships bound to Port Passage, with the wind hard at West will do well to come-to in this road, as the anchorage is safe and easily taken. Its only disadvantage is, that should the wind come round to North, which, however, seldom blows on this coast, it is generally very strong, and vessels must then do their best to get off shore that circumstances will allow.

About a mile and one-third from the Atalaya of Guetaria, is the little River

Sumaya. At its mouth is a bar, which renders entering difficult. It is used only by fishing-boats, or small vessels that go to load with iron, brought from the interior. On the west point, which is high, broad, and steep, with rocks extending about a cable's length from its base, is a small house, used as a watch-tower.

At the distance of 4 miles from this look-out, is the eastern point of the River Deba, which is high and precipitous, with some rocks at its base, and a large hermitage at its summit, dedicated to St. Catherine. The coast throughout this extent is all high and steep, and the shore not very clean. At 1 mile to the eastward of this river, is the Point of Piedra Blanca, so named from the white gullies in it, which appear very conspicuously at the distance of 6 or 7 leagues, and point out the situation of the river.

The River Deba is large, with a depth of 5 to 6 fathoms, excepting at the mouth, where there is a shallow and dangerous bar, but it is visited, during the summer, by some small vessels, for timber and wool. From hence the coast continues high and steep to the little harbour of Montrica, which has two piers. The points of the cove are closely surrounded with rocks, near to which is a depth of 7 fathoms. Two miles to the westward of Montrico is the River Ondarrua, a place of no consequence but to small fishing-vessels.

St. Nicolas' Island, at 3 miles from the River Ondarrua, is joined to the main land by a neck of sand, uncovered at low water. It is an islet of middling height, with a hermitage and battery on it. Within it is the little haven of Lequeitio, which admits fishing and other small vessels. A little more than a mile from this is the Hermitage of St. Catherine, with a watchtower on a projecting point of moderate elevation, perpendicular towards the sea, and of a black colour, the singularity of which marks this part of the coast, as well as the Height of Leq eitio, which stands at the distance of a mile from the Hermitage. This height or hill is lofty and irregular, and its summit is crowned with a small flat peak.

At rather more than a mile from St. Catherine's Point is the Point of Hea, which is low and rocky, with some large rocks about it, but a little farther on, the shore rises to a considerable height, forming a bay rocky all over. Cape Ogouno, which is high, of a red colour, and perpendicular over the sea, is 5 miles from the same point. This cape is an excellent land mark, there being no other like it on the coast. The Isle of Isaro, surrounded with shoals and rocks, lies 2 miles from Cape Ogouno, and there is a passage between it and the main, of 12 fathoms. Within this island is the mouth of the River Mondaca, impeded by a shallow bar, but inside it is deep.

Its en

On the

The Harbour of Bermeo, a small creek, lies 1 mile from Isaro. trance is only a cable's length in breadth, and is open to the E.N.E. N.W. side is the town, with a pier, for fishing and coasting-vessels, of which many belong to it, but the greatest part of the harbour is dry at low water. The way in is by the S.E. point, as on the N.W. side are several shoals. At three-quarters of a mile from the town of Bermeo is Point Uguerray, which is steep over the sea, and has a battery upon it. In this space there. are several rocks lying near the shore.

It is not very highWithin the point, above the horizon, At about half way which is visible in

CAPE MACHICACO is 3 miles from the Island of Isaro. but steep, and has a number of high rocks about its base. the ground gradually rises at an inclination of about 20° forming at last a high, broad, and wooded hill. up the slope is a sudden break in the face of the hill,

every direction between W.S.W. southward, to E.S.E. (by compass), and serves to distinguish the cape from other mountains in the neighbourhood.

A. Cape Machicaco bearing S. 39 deg. W. (true), distant 8 leagues.-B. Land nearest to Bilbao.

On Cape Machicaco there is a lighthouse, showing a light of a natural colour, at an elevation of 285 Castilian feet, visible from 18 to 20 miles in clear weather. It is represented to be of the first Catadioptic order of Fresnel's system, and flashes at intervals of four minutes.

At two-thirds of a mile to the west of Cape Machicaco is Aquech Islet, which is high, broad, and steep, but clear to seaward, and at 11 mile from the same cape, is another joined to the land by a bridge, and having a chapel on it. Behind this the land is high and rugged.

Between the Fosse of Cap Breton and Cape Machicaco, there are generally found, at 2 miles from the coast, soundings of soft mud, mixed with fine sand. This muddy bottom is limited towards the East by the edge of a great flat of irregular rocks, situated at the entrance of the Bay of St. Jean de Luz, and by the small flat of isolated rocks before the River of Bayonne, both of which were examined in 1826 by the surveying party acting under the orders of M. Beautemps Beaupré.

The bottom, between Cape Machicaco and Cape Ortegal, offers nothing remarkable to favour an approach. The bottom is frequently lost in 180 fathoms, at a distance not much beyond 12 miles from the coast, but as you are then in sight of land, it is not of so much importance. determine the position of your ship, by taking bearings of the land, which, in Here you may ordinary weather, can be seen at the distance of 15 leagues. Upon the chart of the Bay of Biscay we have added some views of the principal headlands of the coast, which will doubtless valuable. prove

The Spanish pilots, and many fishermen, have reported, that upon several parts of the coast of Spain, after having lost soundings with a line of 180 and 230 fathoms, banks are met with of 70 and 90 fathoms; but the French surveyors were not able to verify the assertion.

Cape Ortegal, the northernmost point of the coast of Spain, has soundings round it to a considerable distance, as the bottom is not lost with a line of 180 fathoms, till you are about 25 miles from the land. The quality of the bottom in the neighbourhood of the cape, and hence to Cape Finisterre, is almost always of muddy sand, or sand and mud, the rocky bottom extending only 2 or 3 miles from the cape.

CAPE VILLANO lies about 6 miles from Cape Machicaco, and is high, broad, and precipitous. Between the two capes there is a bay surrounded with high grounds, and two small spots of beach, with two little fishing-villages, the first named Baquio and the second Armenta. There is also, about midway between the headlands, a sharp-pointed hill, named the Alto of Plensia, which is the most elevated ground in this tract, and serves to point out the situation of the two capes.

About half a mile westward from Cape Villano, is a small low islet close to the land: the point of land near the S.W. side of it is less elevated than the coast to the eastward, but equally steep and precipitous. Nearly a mile to