Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1898-09-19


Reefs and islets are even more
numerous off the south coast of Cuba
than in the north. Here they are
farther from the shore and less reg
ular.
The most extensive island Of the
1900 that are strewn around the
Cuban seaboard is the Isle de Pinos
Cele of Pines), which indeed Is
nearly as large as all of the others
put together. In the statements Of
Spain's possessions, made by official
sources it always has a place to It
self. The island, which lies so miles
off the southwest coast of Cuba, con-
sists really of two islands, separated
by tortuous passage, half-channel,
half-swamp, which winds at nearly
uniform width for about three miles
from west to east. From east to
west the Isla des Pinos is go miles in
length, and from north TO south its
breadth is 55 miles, the area being
600 square miles. 1t is a beautiful
island, with excellent harbors, lofty
mountains. fertile plalns and many
rivers, In it's center is a mountain
known as the Sierra des la Canada,
rising about 1000 feet above the level
Of the sea, and with precipices $50
feet in height. There are also
Dauguilla mountain, 1900 feet in
height; the Sierra de los Cabelios,
1,074 feet high, and several other
smaller peaks. At the base of these
mountains are quarries, from which
$%,,1 h0 fo1
although they have been worked to
but slight extent. Though the
rivers are shallow, several are navig-
able for four or five miles, their main
advantage being that they keep the
island we'll Watered. The principal
products are cattle, tobacco, pitch and
tar, but there are also mines from
which silver, quicksilver and iron
are extracted.
The climate of the island is mild
and healthy all the year, and few
present a better chance for settlers,
and yet it has only population of
about 1000. The Isla de Pinos has
always been regarded as a depen-
,dency of Havana, and would probably
be claimed by the Cuban govern
ment.
Between Porto Rico and the Virgin
islands there is a group called the
Passage islands, which wild come
into our possession. The argest and
most important of the group is Vie
CUES or Crob island, lying nine miles
off Porto Rico, and which is eighteen
miles long by four broad. The
soil is not good, there being indeed
but little dirt ON the, barren rocks.
A ridge of small hills runs through
the middle, rising to a good height at
the southwest end of the island.
Isabel Segunda ON the north side is
the solitary village and there live
fishermen The harbor is good, for
there are numerous bays, and at one
time Viques was the resort OF
pirates who preyed upon the rich
commerce of the West Indies.
Fishermen and ,woodcutters to the
number of about 500 make their home
on Culebra, the second largest island
in the Passage group. Culebra lies
about Is miles to the eastward OF
Cape San Juan. Because of it's irregu-
lar outline and broken, steep shore
the island Is also sometimes known
as Serpent island. Like Viques, it's
coast is indented with many bays,
which afford excellent harbors. There
are many small hills, that are covered
with scrub timber but the soil is so
sterile compared with the fertility OF
Porto Rico that no attempt is made
to cultivate it ON an extensive scale,
and the 1900 inhabitants support
themselves by fishing and gathering
wood
The principal village On Viques is
Port Mula, where live 1000 inhabi-
tants, under the direction Of a COVER
nor appointed by the governor gen
eral of Porto Rico. A lighthouse
stands at this port.
The other islands in this group are
of even less Importance, They are
small keys like those off the Florida
coast, and few are inhabited. North
east Key, is four square miles in area
and remarkably rocky. Near by
are other small islets that are also
wooded, but the dwelling place OF
fishermen.
On Culebrita island, or Little
Cu-ebra. which lies about a mile from
CuIebra, is a lighthouse whose light,
at an elevation Ct more than 300
feet, can be seen for Is miles.
Two other islands worthy of men
ton are at the western extremity of
P; rto Rico. These are Mona and
Monita islands Mona is near the
Mayaguez inlet, and gives its name
to the broad channels flowing be-
tween Porto Rico and San Domingo.
Mona, that is Monkey, Passage,
| terminates on the west in bold
headland topped by huge over
! hanging r. ok known to seamen by
the suggestive name of 'Caigo 0 No
Caigo?" (Sha1l I fall or not?) Near
Mona is the islet known as Monte, or
Little Monkey.