Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-10-22
FLORIDA.
from the National mtcMgencer. |

OthCE SOhSSthAhE thS ~
Florida" having attracted considerable
attention, we have obtained permission
to publish the whole Of the article
from which the extract was TAKEN
AT the time Gin 1917 when the Manu-
script fell into the hands Of the officer
of the Navy from whom we have OBJ.
tanned it, nest Of Pirates, which Com
PORTER, then commanding the New.
Orleans Station, routed and broke up
intended to make settlement at St
Esprit or Spiritu Santa. They after.
wards settled at Barrataria. LAFrrTE
was at their head, and was on board oil
one of the vessels taken by our naval
force. The manuscript, Of which the
following is translation, was found on
board one Of their vessels.
7tanslatedJy Mr.. Selwartz, ofthe Nary Com.
misaoners' Office.
MARITIME INFORMATION.
When you see the Coast of Florida
or the Islands which lie near it bearing
North and South, you may steer north
and north by east, keeping always in
sight of the land; for when you are in
the Channel, that is to say, when you
have made the land which bears N. and
S. at WNW. you may approach the
coast within two leagues, as far as Cape
Canaveral; large vessels, can by no
means approach nearer than three
lea cues; and when the wind is favora-
bic, you may steer your course within
from to leagues Of the coast. When
the wind is contrary, and you are obi
ged to tack ship, the east coast on the
Placet must be shorter than the west
course, keeping all the while in sight
Of the coast of Florida, because the
currents running into the channels Of
Placet and between the Islands, set with
rapidity towards the East. The land
Of the Florida shore is very low and al
most inundated. You can hardly see
any thing but the trees that grow on it.
Here followed the description Of the
" Isthmus Of Florida" which we ex-
tractcd, and published last week, and
which it seems unnecessary to rein
sert,
ST. AUGUSTINE, IN FLORIDA.
Should vessel, after leaving the
Bahama Channel, be obliged, in conse-
quence of some accident, or any parti-
cular reason, to stand in for an harbor,
the port Of st. Augustine is the near
est and most advantageous place
From that circumstance | am induced
to say something about the place, and
give few directions respecting it.
This town is situated on the eastern
coast of Florida, in Latitude North 90
deg. So min., and in longitude East o.
the meridian of Paris 81 degrees, 90
minutes, or 296 degrees, 40 minutes,
from the meridian Of the Isle de Zero.
1t is built in prairie on the sea shore,
surrounded by walls and a dry ditch on
the land side. 1t is defended on the |
north by Fort of Stations, called
the Fort of ST. Jean, built of stone,
with a parapet feet thick and ram
part 30 feet high, with bomb proof
classmates and ways, and is lined with
more than so pieces of artillery. Up
on the sea shore south Of the town,
stands another small Fort connected
with the walls Of the town. This fort
defends the harbor, which is good, safe,
and commodious, with depth Of wa
ter Of not less than from % to 80 feet
a, low tide. This harbor is covered |
from the sea side by long low Island,
called the Island of St. Annastac. 1t
is separated from the main land by
branch Of the sea called the River Ma
tame.
The entrance is covered outside by |
sand banks and rocks, extending out
more than one third of league, be-
tween which there are openings or pass
es, which form the channels leading to
the interior of the harbor. The South
Channel is the one vessels generally |
make use Of There is not less than
from 90, 2i, to 80 feet water at low
tide; but before you enter this channel,
you have TO pass bar, over which |
there is not more than 9 feet water at !
low tide. You can moor your ship |
outside Of the bar, and wait till the tide |
comes in. This pass can easily be dis
by the breakers Of the sea
which beats against the rocks on the
banks South and North, and thereby |
plainly mark out the passage, which is
at least 500 tathoms wide. After pass
ing the Bar you find from / 8 to 30 feet
water. You will range along the ISL
and Of Annastasius within two cables
you may cast anchor near the |
Northwest point, opposite battery,
in % feet water, at the distance of one
cable length and an half from the land.
You double the north point Of the ISL
and, and then come to anchor before
Town. North and South Of the town
there are two great Indian villages,
u bicb form the suburbs thereof Half