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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 7TH APRIL, 1883.
South coast.-The south coast of the island is sandy, and for the most part skirted by a reef on which the sea constantly breaks; it is steeper than the northern side of the island, and the bottom is foul. The bank of soundings, to the depth of 100 fathoms, extends generally half a mile off shore on the south side of the island, and there are no off-lying shoals; off Sand Cliff point the bottom, within a depth of seven fathoms, is irregular.
Anchorage.-During the winter months, when the prevailing winds are from northward, anchorage may be obtained on the south side of the island in seven fathoms, on a white patch off a rocky ledge, situated one mile eastward of SW. point, and where the coral reef joins the shore line. A vessel should approach this anchorage carefully, and anchor with the south extreme of Southwest point bearing west, and a conspicuous cocoa-nut tree bearing north.
The coast at this part is not fringed with reefs.
Should the wind veer to the eastward it would be prudent to leave this anchorage for that at Anchorage bay, on the northwest side of the island.
North coast.-The north coast of Little Cayman island is partly fringed by a reef, but there are several fair anchorages.
Anchorage bay, situated about half a mile north of Southwest point, affords good holding ground in from eight to 10 fathoms water, off a rocky coast which is steep-to.
A vessel should anchor where the bottom appears white, with SW. point bearing with the eastern extreme of the bay.
and Jackson point in line
Jackson point, situated three miles eastward of SW. point, has on it the only large clump cocoa-nut trees on this side of the island; a vessel may find shelter with Jackson point bearing E NE. in eight fathoms, but within that depth the water shoals rapidly.
Reef harbor.--At the northeast extreme of the island there is a small harbor within the reefs, capable of accommo- dating sahooners drawing from eight to nine feet, but it is much encumbered with rocks.
A quiet anchorage, during southerly and easterly breezes, may be found outside North reaf, SE. by E.E. (H. N. 8-'83.)
(Bearings magnetic. Variation 4o easterly in 1883.)
23.-Cayman Brac.-This island, situated four miles eastward of Little Cayman, is 10 miles and W SW. direction, about 13 miles in breadth, and covered with thick bush.
East point bearing
in an E NE.
the
It rises abruptly from the sea at NE. point to a height of 130 feet, decreasing gradually towards the western cliff terminating one mile from SW. point. The top of the island is flat and intersected by a few rugged paths.
Northeast point is steep-to, having seven fathoms close to the shore. The sea breaks on the point, giving it the appearance of shoal water.
The south coast of the island is skirted by a broken reef.
The bank of soundings, within 100 fathoms, extends off shore about half a mile, except at the distance is increased to nearly one mile. There are no off-lying shoals, but within the depth occasional coral boulders rising about six feet from the bottom. This is especially the case in Stakes bay,
Cipetmints, where athoms there are
Anchorage.-The best anchorage in Scott bay, in nine fathoms, about half a mile NE of SW. point, with Scott's settlement bearing S. by E., and the high land at Stakes point nearly shut in with Frenchman pomt. Stake and Bight bays, also on the north side, are quiet and safe anchorages outside the depth of five fathoms. Should the wind shift to the northward, anchorage may be found on south side near SW. point, care being taken to find a clear spot for the anchor as the bottom is foul.
Caution.-Vessels anchoring on the north side are recommended to ride with a short scope of cable, as the weatherly set of the current is liable (if riding with a long scope) to cause the chain to foul the coral heads, which, in the event of a squall, would bring up the vessel very short.
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Care must be taken to avoid the turtle nets when about to anchor.
Population.-The population of the Lesser Caymans is about 300, principally Scotch. The men work in companies, The produce is dried fishing and turning turtle at Little Cayman, but residing at Cayman Brac, where their plantations are. and sent to Jamaica by schooners.
Supplies.-Boats will come off to vessels hove to off the north shores of the islands, and will probably bring off turtle, yams and fruit. Water, which is generally brackish, may with difficulty be obtained from the wells attached to the houses on the islands, by application to the owners,
Winds and weather.-Summer winds range from E NE. to S SE. Rainy weather sets in about the middle of May and continues till August. Heavy squalls are prevalent from east and E NE. in June, coming on suddenly at or before midnight. From November to April the direction of the wind is from NE. to north, seldom varying for more than 48 hours. There is at that time very little smooth water, and landing is difficult. When the land winds are strong on the coast of Cuba, the swell rolls across and breaks heavily on the northern shores of these islands.
Tides. It is high water, full and change, at Lesser Caymans at 8h, 50m., springs rise 18 inches. (H. N. 8-83.)
(Bearings magnetic. Variation 4o easterly in 1883.)
(British Admiralty Hydroğraphic Notice, No. 8, London, 1882.)
This Notice affects the following Charts, &c.:
Hydrographic Office:
28.--No. 373, West Indies, Jamaica, with the Pedro Bank and with parts of Cuba and San Domingo. British Admiralty:
22 and 23.-Nos. 761 and 763, West India Islands and Caribbean Sea, Sheet L
23.-No. 486, Jamaica and the Pedro Bank, with parts of Cuba and San Domingo.
Sailing Directions:
"The Navigation of the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico," Vol. I, 1877, pages 268 and 270 (22 and 28).
By order of the Bureau of Navigation :
J. C. P. de KRAFFT, Commodore, U. S. N., Hydrographer to the Bureau.
U. S. HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE, Washington, D. C., January 24, 1883.