Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-02-23


Americans ever visited the famous Skeligs
of the southwest coast of Ireland" They
are the most south-westerlv extensions Of
Ireland; are three in number; and lie in
direct line southwest OF Port Magee. The
first and the least, is called Lemon Rock
1t is a round, solid mass rising only few
feet above water The second and next
larger Is called Little, or Lesser, skellig
nd is craggy grouping Of rocky pima
les, standing grim and black against the
sky, as though some city Of churches with
wOndrUus steepleS had been submerged
rearing above the waves their mighty
Gothic spires, among which millions Of
sea birds had found their desolate homes.
The third, the Great Skellig, is precisely |
nine miles at sea from Port MAGGIE, II rs |
an enormous and PERCEPTIONS mass Of rock |
rising perpendcularly Mt nearly all angles !
to the height of several hundred feet and |
from thence pushing skyward stupendons, |
irregular groups terminating in two lofty \
pinnacles, the highest of which reaches an |
altitude of 40 feet. 1t is said that the |
ocean soundings around it are far deeuer
than those III any part OF the English |
channel; and AT no other point upon tine
whole Atlantic are witnessed such awful
battles between wave and stone, The base
of the only lighthouse now in use. upon
Great Skellig stands upon a levelled rock,
$40 feet above the sea. and the roof of this
lofty structure WAS Few years ago
crushed ia and partly carried away by the
assaults of the waves, which must have
been lifted upwards of ls1 feet above the
sea-level to have been dashed upon II
determination 10 land upon ana scale
Great Skellig rock is more easily formed
than is the project performed for certain
destruction attends attempted landing,
save when old ocean may be caught nan
ping and for few hours quite at rest.
Every day for nearly week, with Kerry
fisherman friend arose before day AMI
al ca. I,o ,ls haln,t f,.r
forecast OF wind, weather and sea, At last
a propitious day came With NY friend
and three of his hardy companions we set
forth in strong open boat with the ont
going tide from the tiny per OF the port,
and without stroke Of oar were soon sweep
ing through the southern entrance of tile
harbor of Nalentia.
The sea was perfectly calm as we left
the channel, save where impercepnhlo dis
tant sweils, massius upon the half hidden
ledge that protects the harUor entrance,
flung glittering spume and spray land.
ward behind us, over the west, Bray
Head rose precipitOusly LOO feet ont Of
the water. Beyond this, iunumerahle
fishers sails blended like a huge ou-eom-
ing surge at the edge Of the horizon. 10
the left, grim head!ands stretched away
in dark projections to far BDlus head and
the long, regular stroke Of the oarSmen
soon sped us past Putin Island. In an
hour and halt we were alongside Lemon
Island lying like some sleeping huif-hiddtn
monster to our right and in two hours
time we had come abreast of Little >kcllig.
Here We were favored with = character
istC sight. This island is the only one oil
the Irish coast where tho pntiin haunts
and breeds IN countless numbers. Taking
advantage OF the placid SEA PERHAPS three
score ouastSise folk were here seeking
these fowl within the assures and Uleft> ul
the crags Many aSVD battles between
men SlQuu with rDgeS from dangerous