The New York herald., 1869-08-03

protssti0n OF the Cav Levantado and communi-
eating reefs the largest feet In the world may lie
perfectly secured from the sea aud weather. This
portion OF the bay would answer admirably for an
anchorage for ships out OF commission, while the
spacious BAY outside or Levantado might be appro-
prated for vessels In active service The shores
around the bay are abrupt and the largest vessels
is suflcenf depth OF water 10 admit Of vessels get
ting In so close as TO communicate with the island
by common gang plank. by which coal could be
face Of the bay would also admit Of manQuvring
vessels with an abundance OF room.
PHYSICAL FEATURES OF THE PENINSULA.
AT tine northeastern point OF the island OF ST. Do
mlng0, rom the MAINLAND along the northern shore
Of the Bay OF Samana stretches narrow tongue OF
point OF this peninsula forming q bold and abrupt
promonfory standing high out OF the sea. Is known
as Cape SANTANA or Cape Recon, called Cabo dc San
Ferano by Columbus. Formerly at tho western ex-
remity OF the peninsula existed an open passage
from sea TO sea. used by the Doatmen OF SANTANA,
This passage is SILL used, though II Is now much
filed up with sand. The isthmus Is low. The lofty
SUBMITS OF the Monte Christi chain cease on ap-
preaching 1t aud rise again on the eastern bank OF
the Gran Estero, the western extremity OF the pe-
ninsula. From west to east, as have said, SANTANA
is thirty two miles. the low land near the isthmus
ID about five miles wide with the greatest breadth
between Punta Batandra and Cape Cabron, where it
is eleven miles. Samana is traversed by central
chain, rising highest at the eastern part Pllon de
Azucar, or Sugar Loaf Mountain. near Cape Cabron,
by measurement is 1885 feet In height, ana La Mon
sa ael DaSs o Feet The area o.
Several rivers dnd their outlet into samana bay,
which affords an abundance Of fresh water Tor the
use OF vessels. The principal OF these Is the river
yuma which reaches the bay at It's western ex-
tremity The Yuma rises In the central mountain
chain on the highest peak of the Cibao, and having
passed close to the town Of Cotuy receives on It's left
and one ncrthward into the the Atlantic. In each there
exists bar with about three to four and half feet
Of water learn from Arthur Pennel, q young
English engineer to whom am indebted for much
personal Information respecting the physical features
OF 81 Domingo and who made Q special exploration
Of the Yuma, that It's course s very t0rtu0us and
during the rainy season the current Is exceedingly
strong. Boats formerly ascended the river some
boats drawing four to i've OF water far the
junction Of the Quaba.
The Yuma, with large population on Its banks.
would prove q valuable tributary Of supplies by
native craft to population on the shores Of
Samana. The stream, with it's branches, courses
the most fertile valleys IN the world, and also with
the mineral districts OF Maymon and the pine forests
Of the Obao In 1867 the trade OF the greater por-
tion Of the valley, which stretches from the Bay Of
SANTANA to Cotuy ON the Yuma and Conception on
the Canu, averaging eight miles in width, was car
ried on by native canoes OF about two tons burden
railroad Ii in contemplation from the head Of
the bay to the towns OF Conception ana Santiago
towards the souIhward from the yuma are the an.
chOrages OF Barranca Chica and Barranca Grande
both anchorages @ h not now used. The Naranlo river
here enters the Bay OF SANTANA, passing under hill
Of calcareous rock. through which t has forced an
outlet.
The central ohain Of mountains traversing the Pc
ninsula OF SamanA from west to east in its geo.
graphical formation consists principally OF noun
tain limestone schstose rocks with veins Of calca-
re0us spar and sandstone. Quartz occurs frequent
y and at the eastern end or the peninsula there is
found an abundance OF mica states. large guam
tty OF fossil shells In great variety are met with.
Near the riyulet Of Alnlencon veins Of bltuminous
coal have been discovered. The specimens already
nientiy employed on steamers. The VEINS, how
ever, have not been developed, and 1t Is possible
tnad better m 9a ex Te coa M o
nel commence at point called Los Robelas. about
ten miles to the westward Of the town Of Santa
Canitas. at the head OF the bay, and 1t Is thought ex
tends 10 the hase Of the mountains separating La
vega Real from the sea.
portions OF tile island OF st. Domingo Is highly pro-
ductve. It's principal woods are extensive forests
Of asspqe nellie cana cavns sad Taoa
bottoms q vessels. and hgnumv,ta. The
cotton and Coffee The present inhabitants are satis
fed with cultivating yams, India corn and fruits.
mansoes, alligator pears and cocoanuts whlle from
tae jungle ana te forest they gather as the cravings
and dine inexnsastiSis sbnndancs. ~ = S''''s''
The bay OF Samana abouDds with fish, which Is an
important article Of diet Win the people on s shores
mouth Of the Yuma river oysters are found in large
quantities Aquatic birds visit the bay in great num-
mers, chiefly BamiBg0es, spoonbllis, scarlet Ibis,
snipe aud many other varieties.
A few words may be SAID of
THE POPULATION
suDssting shores OF the great bay OF SaMana.
The primitive people, who are said by Columbus
and others to have been very numerous, were the
Ciguayens, and fierce and warlike people.
The population now consists OF the descendants
Of the Canarians or lslenos, the French REFUGEES
FROM Haytl, creoes from the same country and
the Spaniards OF st. Domingo. In 1924 another
element was added In the arrival Of 4 few free
coored people from the States Of Pennsylvania and
children are still living, the majority at SANTANA.
These people rank among the most Intelligent and
inc " e as sbou Se sdus az
nearly 800 were coored Americans. The chief
commerce Of Samana Is with Turks Island, shipping
provisions to that barren spot and receiving In re-
turn quantities Of salt.
me small town Of santa Barbara is situated on the
activities bordering small blight on the north side
vantado. 1t was founded In 1856 by Don Francisco
Rubroy Peharando, then Governor Of St. Domingo.
On the southern shore, near the mouth OF the
Yabau, Is the village OF Savanna La Mar containing
few hundred Inhabitants.
The commodous and unparalleled pay OF Samana
was one of the earliest attractions III the physical
convenience of geographical position from strate-
gfc point OF view and the accommodations afforded
BY its wen sheltered and placid waters have asso-
TILES. brief review of these historical associations
ct this time Will not be inappropriate, aud will point
other Powers. After his discovery OF the country
| which he named Hispanola, now st. Domingo,
and giving attention to preliminary expiora.
out his return to old Spain. In January, 1893 ne
passed high headland which he named CaDo del
EnamoradO (the Lovers Capel. now Cape Cabron.
| Further eastward he saw another, which he named
| Cabo San Feramo, now Cape Samand, which formed
the most eastern point Of the peninsula OF the
name. Doubling this bold headand, Columbus
| saw opened before him an expansive
| gulf which he supposed to be an arm OF the sea-
Charmed by the beauties OF the place he cast anchor
in the bay, determined to give some attention to
further examination OF its advantages: large
native population, called Ciguayens, fierce race,
Inhabited The shores. Columbia landed some al
his with tho desire TO open friendly relations,
when the natives assailed the party. lively Gghi
ensued, In which the first blood between European
and the primitive people Of the New World was shed
| In consequence OF this difficuty C0iumDus namcc
the portion OF the bay nearest the scene OF the gnl
I'll Golfc de las Fleecnas 1.-THE Gulf OF Arrowsl. Alter
passing three days in the bay Columbus departed
| Tor the Ola World, carrying with him glowing 40
counts not only OF the lands he had discovered bu
also OF great bay. In the subsequent operations
! the Spanish the bay Of SANTANA was frequently
! visited and was place OF refuge In tiBea Oi storm
i Tor Yeaseia milling nlQnl the coaat.