The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-10-19
For the Union.



das. Many suppose them 10 be small collection o.
low and almost barren rocks from which sunken reels
push themselves for miles all directions requiring inc
most extraordinary caution to be used in approaching
them thai the harbors are open roadsteads, the soil
neagre and thin, and that the group placed where
las for other purpose but to be terror TO manners
Ii is true, that before the erection OF the hight house.
vessel was occasionally stranded the northern reels
but such disasters must be OF occurrence and
in running Tor the islands, than ordinary care IS
required the part of the navigator So tar from being
cold and barren, there few spots that be made SO
productive or so well reward the labor OF the agrculiu-
st There are but few tropical productions unsuitei to
the soil and climate and all OF the grains and many OF
the fruits OF the north be cultivated with success II IS
unusual to most of the tropical fruits, with obac-
coffee cotton, indigo, oats Indian corn and
variety OF medicinal plants all houshng in the
same enclosure The orange and grape thrive admirably
and the cedar cherished less, or IS now allowed
to lumber the most fertile portions Of the couniry and
proper attention bestowed upon fruit Bermuda could be
made magnificent fruit garden.
The climate changeabe but subject TO no great ex-
iremes OF heat and cold. In December, January Febru
ary and part of March, the winds prevail from the
and north, and often blow with great force accompanied
with violent storms of rain. There many days In
those months when the is cold, damp, and Disagree
In March the air becomes mild with frequent showers
and beezes from the SOUTH In June 1t Is sury and OPP
essve but the mercury rarely rises much above SO de-
gees Long droughts at this season common, with
an occasional deluge of rain In September the weather
again becomes mild and agreeable.
Snakes and venonous reptiles that usually swarm in
cenpede harmless lizard is seen, but cockroaches,
ants and mosquitoes sufficiently numerous There
out few blrds beside the gull only hive that are CON-
mon-the red Bird ground dove, black bird, blue BIRD
and sparrow, named, from its peculiar note, Chick o.
the Village" Occasionally crow is seen on some re-
island, and, after hard wind. the cave and chm
ney swallow appear for day or two During the au-
tumn storms large numbers of pover stop here to rest
themselves but they hunted with such tenaclty that
they leave for regions where powder and lead are
less plenty. great variety and abundance OF delicious
fish are every ay exhibited the markets and the turtle
is common.
The SOFT white stone peculiar to the country, which
be quarTed from almost any place. universally used
for building This stone. resembling hard mortar, seems
be composed of finely pulyerzed Shells and Is SO soft
as 10 be easily cut with common saw A variety OF
limestone rock, very close and compact, and sometimes
variegaed is also found, which is capable OF high pol
ish In the along the seaboard are
found coloed staagmiic and stalagtit concretions,
hard-water
There are numerous springs the islands but ran-wa
generally used Almost every dwelling has It's stone
tank Often in the country, the side OF hull IS paved
with stone slabs, pastered and whewashed and from
these slides, resembling banks of snow the water runs
into tanks at the foot OF the hill
There nearly 400 islands in the group continuing
about 1900 square Few of them, however are
important in size the larger number being mere rocks,
covered with thin soil, producing only stunted cedars
The island of St George, about miles in LENGTH lies at
the northeast end of the range Fort Catharlne, at the
northeast point of this island in lat 80 deg "a min
AZ sec lon 81 deg 81 min 40 On the south side OF
harbor is of easy completely land and yes
sells OF IS feet daughi enter in safety Its proximity
the sea- and being at the same time deep, capaclous
and secure renders it the usual place OF resort for DIS
abled vessels For time miner has been engaged
in removing several reefs at the entrance by submarine
blasting where the was not direct and deep
desired and additional appropriation having lately
been made for this work. the desired improvements will
probably before another winter, be fully completed
There substantial stone wharves IN this town, com
modious warehouses, and upon FIVE wharves are kept
every convenience required Tor heavng out and repairing
ships ST George is garrison town, and the island Is
very strongly occupied The government works and for
tcations are all OF the first order, extensive commod
ous and substantially built South of St George is St
Davds Island, nearly miles in length, its eastern point
forming the promontory called St Davids Head Somer
set about g. and Ireland Island, about miles LENGTH
lie at the west and northwest Of the main land. Ireland
forms the extreme northern point of the western coast
and is the naval depot for the station An extensive
breakwaer has been constructed there; and for
siderable period the labor OF large convict establishment
has been employed in Strengthening that important sta
ton. Bermuda, the main land, extends from east to
west about % miles, nowhere exceeding three miles in
width and in general not than Hamilton the
OF and principal port OF entry is situated
the centre OF Bermuda, on an inlet which affords
safe and convenient harbor. This harbor not
cessbe, neither can vessels go IN there with the same
draught OF water as into ST Georges Hamilton and ST.
George have each population OF about 400.
The appearance OF the country is continued success
sion OF steep elevations from 50 TO 200 feet in height with
small valeysat their bases, where the soil deep and fer
tile. The hills covered with low cedaB In the val
i
darkened by those The cedar is favorIte wood
for ship building. is negraned, very heavy, and al
most indestrucble For durability and sailing qualities,
there are no vessels that excel those built In Bermuda
The roads are excellent and the houses hickly
scattered the country to give the whole islands
the appearance of continuous village-beng built OF
sone generally kept perfectly white, and 80 surrounded
with snubbery and flowers, that they have neat and
very inviting appearance The scenery Is beautiful; and
the land is narrow that succession OF delightful sea
views is presented TO the traveller.
There about 500 soldiers stationed on the islands.
At Ireland there three convict huks and one at St
Georges The convcts number from twelve to fifteen
hundred, and are employed on the Notifications.
Bermuda is divided into nine Parishes and in 1913 the
population little less than l0,OO0abOut 445 to the
square mile There are 81 churches and chapelsneariy
papers public free schools and many pm
vale ones In Isll there were 1877 births. 81 marriages
and l6 deaths The number OF deaths IRON all causes
estimated at as per cent annually. The imports in
1916 amounted to S572072 10; number OF vessels that
entered in 1916 l9i and the number belonging to
the colony in that year was J3-35ol tons, 3l4 men
Most of the provisions issued to the troops from Eng
land The inhabitants obtain theirs from the United
States About so and many sheep are a supply
for the troops and convics for six weeks. These ami
mails generally come from New York, and kept ir
stalls I'LL auyhtered.
! Staple productions IN 1916.
Arrow-root Slo,755 o.
Cedar boats 523 30
| Cedar timber 1905 so
/ Onions, 1897, $40 pounds 1859 6s
| Palmetto plat 157 a.
h Potatoes, 1885 bushels $3.50 96
4 Whale oil, $50 gallons 623 as
i 3s,7s2 30